Veterans Day Honor: Thomas M. Busta

Andover Veteran Thomas M. Busta was one of many local veterans honored during Veterans Day ceremonies in Andover Friday. Busta served as a Marine in the K Company, 3rd Battalion, 24th Regiment of the 4th Division in World War II. He fought on Iwo Jima during the entire battle. 

Here is an excerpt Busta's story, as written in a book called "Heroes Among Us," produced by the Andover Veterans Service Department:

"Tom remained on the Island of Iwo Jima for thirty days - one hour on, one hour off with no real rest the entire time. He hear many "cracks" from bullets and knew that if you heard the crack it had been meant for you. He felt very lucky. From his platoon only he and one buddy from New York made it through to the end. That buddy, Private Walter Oelerich, became a police officer in his home state, and the two stay in touch with each other to this day.

"On March 17, they heard that they would return to board the ship. Then, on the following day, they were taken off the island to sail to Maui. He recalls lying on the deck of the ship listening to the Andrews Sisters singing 'Don't Fence Me In' playing over the loud speakers."

The other veterans honored in the book include Mario J. Aloisi, Salvatore J. Basile, Jack Berberian, Charles E. Burns, Anthony D. D'Amelio, Vincent P. Davey, William T. Downs, Douglas M. Dunbar, Robert W. Elder, June C. Fitzgerald, Raymond J. Gaudet, Joseph F. Guerrera, John J. Lewis, Achibald D. Maclaren, Jr., Paul S. Martellucci, Frederick N. Nowell, Jr., Margaret A. Pustell, LIonel P. Sirois, Ellsworth G. Spencer, Robert A. Sullivan and Dorothy M. Volker.