my late fil was also one of the few that made it off iwo..he never talked about any of it, not even to dh when he went into the marines..
the only stories we ever heard from him was when he was coming out of anestisia (spelling) after surgery..
he was wounded on iwo, called his purple heart the "i forgot to duck medal" to all the grandkids.. after our kids were older, they were amazed when they studied wwII in high school, that he made it off in one piece...
they are called the greatest generation.. and truer words cannot be spoken.