John Keith Wells was born on February 5, 1922, and died on February 11, 2016.

He was a United States Marine during World War II.

He led one of the most decorated infantry platoons to come out of a single engagement and the first to raise a flag over the Japanese island of Iwo Jima during World War II, 3rd Platoon, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division.

That particular platoon was made famous for its attack on Mt. Suribachi and for raising the first flag on the summit.

Following World War II, Wells went back to Texas and enrolled at Texas Tech College and obtained a degree in Petroleum Geology the summer of 1948.

The 1st Lt. Wells was honorarily withdrawn as a Major in the Marine Reserves, in 1959.

John wrote a memoir about his command of and his war time experiences with 3rd Platoon, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division entitled “Give Me 50 Marines Not Afraid to Die: Iwo Jima”.

John Keith Wells passed away at 94 yrs old in Arvada, Colorado.