Page 33 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2021- Online Magazine

Marine corps
WWii

When asked how his military service impacted his
life, Harold remarked, “I was a 19-year-old poor
boy from Shallowater, Texas with no skills, no
opportunities and no confidence in myself. When
I left the Marine Corps six years later, I had grown
into adulthood and was confident in my ability to
make good decisions and take care of myself in any
situation.”

Harold, who will celebrate his 100th birthday on
December 12, 2021, has four grandchildren and three
great-grandchildren. His daughter, Pam, and her
husband, Ronnie Williams, and daughter, Joy, and
her husband, Jerry Haggard, also reside in Lubbock.
I feel very blessed to have such a distinguished and
honorable man as Harold J Douglas as my neighbor.
It has been such a pleasure to know him and hear his
profound stories about his experiences as a Marine
during the Battle of Iwo Jima, especially since my
dad, James Banks and two of his brothers, also served
in the Pacific campaign in World War II.

Harold admitted. They had landed with 236 men and,
during the battle, had 100 replacements. Sadly, only
82 survived the battle that has been called the most
famous and violent battle in U.S. Marine history.

While on leave, Harold met Frances McAnally on
a blind date, and on November 10, 1945, they were
married. Following his discharge from military
service on August 13, 1946, he and Frances loaded
their 1940 Mercury and moved to Lubbock, Texas
where Harold became a Certified Public Accountant
and they raised two daughters, Joy and Pam. Harold
and his beloved Frances were married for 67 years.

Lubbock Senior Link 33