"Boots" Thomas Memorial
West Washington Street
Monticello, Florida
Jefferson County
This site is located in the north central region of the state.
DIRECTIONS
The Ernest I. "Boots" Thomas/Iwo Jima Memorial is located in Monticello, Florida on the north side of Washington Street (SR 90), west of the Court House.
This monument, dedicated February 22, 1981, serves to honor Marine Sgt. Ernest I. “Boots” Thomas and his comrades in arms for their role on Iwo Jima during WWII.
The face of the eight by five foot structure presents a depiction in relief of the first raising of the U.S. flag over Mount Suribachi on February 23, 1945. Thomas, a Monticello resident when he joined the Marine Corps in May 1942, received the Navy Cross for his combat service on Iwo Jima. Tragically, “Boots” Thomas was killed in combat on March 3, 1945, just one week before his birthday.
Link:
Jefferson County, Florida: History and Culture
http://www.jeffersoncountyfl.gov/p/history-culture
