Historic Field Glasses Play a Part in Midshipmen's Research

History and physics combine in a research project being conducted by four Naval Academy midshipmen.

Midshipman 1st Class Ian Sharbel and Midshipmen 2nd Class Karter Martin, Don Puent, and Cyrus Wilson had the chance to use a pair of World War II-era Japanese field glasses yesterday as part of their project. Using the glasses will help the midshipmen determine how much the Japanese could see during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Retired Admiral James Stavridis, currently dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and a USNA graduate, was on site to observe the midshipmen at work.

The roughly 70-pound glasses – used on Mount Suribachi during the battle – were recently donated to the Naval Academy Museum. They will be on permanent display in the Iwo Jima exhibit at the museum beginning today.

A documentary on the glasses will be released on the museum’s Facebook page and the museum’s website in December.