Story behind vet's rifle brings Iwo Jima to life :: 02/23/2014

Ray Alcorn came home from Iwo Jima in 1945 with two World War II souvenirs.

One was a V-shaped chunk missing from his left ear, courtesy of a Japanese bayonet.

The other was the Arisaka rifle to which that bayonet was affixed.

This story has a decidedly local flavor. You can see Alcorn's rifle at Soldiers and Sailors hall.

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2014/02/23/Story-behind-vet-s-rifle-brings-Iwo-Jima-to-life/stories/201402230155