#VeteranOfTheDay Marine Corps Veteran Demosthenes “Dee” Andros.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Marine Corps Veteran Demosthenes “Dee” Andros.

Dee fought during World War II in the Pacific with the 5th Marine Division of the 28th Marine Regiment. He spent more than a month under fire on Iwo Jima and witnessed the famous moment when six Marines raised the American flag on the Pacific island.

After the battle of Iwo Jima, Dee participated in the occupation of Japan. “We marched — we went eight miles up and took that Navy base there at Sasebo without firing a shot,” he said during an interview with the Veterans History Project.

He received the bronze star and achieved the rank of sergeant before he left the Marine Corps in 1945.

After the war, Dee played college football as a guard at the University of Oklahoma. He then became the head football coach at the University of Idaho and Oregon State University. After retiring from coaching, he was the athletic director at Oregon State University.

Dee passed away in 2003. We honor his service.

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? You’re in luck! VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much of the information as you can put together with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating for how to create the best submission.

Veterans History Project

This #VeteranOfTheDay profile was created with interviews submitted to the Veterans History Project. The project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war Veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war. Find out more at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.

Graphic created by Carl J. Valentino: Carl J. Valentino is a student at the University of Delaware with a Major in International Business and a Minor in Graphic Design.