February 19th - 65th Anniversary - Battle of Iwo Jima
I’ve had the privilege of getting to know an Iwo Jima Veteran very well. These American’s did unbelievable things under the worst imaginable conditions for our Country, Corps and Navy (my friend was a Navy Corpsman with 28th Marines). Their modesty all these years is remarkable. As time goes by there are fewer and fewer WWII vets left. If you have friends that know nothing about Iwo Jima please take the time and encourage them to watch Flags of our Fathers and/or HBO’s the Pacific (next month).
"Among the Americans who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue" Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, U.S. Navy
The Marine invasion of Iwo Jima (1st US attack on the Japanese Home Islands) began on February 19, 1945. It was known as Operation Detachment. The Marines were charged with the mission of capturing the airfields on the island which up until that time had harried U.S. bombing missions to Tokyo. Once the bases were secured, they could then be used in the impending invasion of the Japanese mainland.
B-24 Liberators flying from the Mariannas bombed the island for 74 days prior to the invasion. Naval ships consisting of 6 battleships, 5 cruisers and many destroyers of Task Force 54 provided a 3 day pre-landing bombardment. Intelligence sources estimated that the island would fall in a week's time. Unfortunately, no one knew at the time that island had been heavily fortified. There were vast bunkers, hidden artillery and 11 miles of interconnecting tunnels.
The battle produced some of the fiercest fighting in the Pacfic Campaign of WWII. Besides the fortifications, the inhospitable terrain consisting of volcanic ash made walking difficult and building foxholes for protection impossible. Night raids by the Japanese and hand-to-hand combat were common occurrences. The bunkers were connected to the tunnels in such a way that even after the use of flamethrowers and grenades, the Japanese soldiers were able to return to the bunkers and resume their fighting. The Marines literally won the 8 square mile island, inch by bloody inch.
Of the approximate 20,000 Japanese troops on the island, less than 1,000 were taken prisoner. Most Japanese fought to the death or chose ritual suicide instead of surrendering.
Of the 110,000 Marines and Navy Corpsman who took part in the battle, 6,821 were killed (this included over 300 Navy Corpsman) and 19,217 were wounded. The number of American casualties were greater than the total Allied casualties at the Battle of Normandy on D-Day.
On March 26, 1945, the island of Iwo Jima was declared secure ... 37 days after the battle began. Henceforth, Iwo Jima would appear on the list in Marine Corps history alongside such places as Belleau Woods, Chosin Reservoir and Guadacanal.
Twenty-seven Medal of Honor medals were awarded for actions during the battle. Of these, 14 were awarded posthumously. Marines earned 22 of the medals, Navy Corpsman earned 4 and a Naval officer from the USS LCI won the other. Of the total number of Medal of Honor medals awarded to Marines in WWII, 27% of those were awarded to the Marines who fought on Iwo Jima.
By their victory, the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions and other units of the Fifth Amphibious Corps have made an accounting to their country which only history will be able to value fully.
"Among the Americans who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue" Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, U.S. Navy
The Marine invasion of Iwo Jima (1st US attack on the Japanese Home Islands) began on February 19, 1945. It was known as Operation Detachment. The Marines were charged with the mission of capturing the airfields on the island which up until that time had harried U.S. bombing missions to Tokyo. Once the bases were secured, they could then be used in the impending invasion of the Japanese mainland.
B-24 Liberators flying from the Mariannas bombed the island for 74 days prior to the invasion. Naval ships consisting of 6 battleships, 5 cruisers and many destroyers of Task Force 54 provided a 3 day pre-landing bombardment. Intelligence sources estimated that the island would fall in a week's time. Unfortunately, no one knew at the time that island had been heavily fortified. There were vast bunkers, hidden artillery and 11 miles of interconnecting tunnels.
The battle produced some of the fiercest fighting in the Pacfic Campaign of WWII. Besides the fortifications, the inhospitable terrain consisting of volcanic ash made walking difficult and building foxholes for protection impossible. Night raids by the Japanese and hand-to-hand combat were common occurrences. The bunkers were connected to the tunnels in such a way that even after the use of flamethrowers and grenades, the Japanese soldiers were able to return to the bunkers and resume their fighting. The Marines literally won the 8 square mile island, inch by bloody inch.
Of the approximate 20,000 Japanese troops on the island, less than 1,000 were taken prisoner. Most Japanese fought to the death or chose ritual suicide instead of surrendering.
Of the 110,000 Marines and Navy Corpsman who took part in the battle, 6,821 were killed (this included over 300 Navy Corpsman) and 19,217 were wounded. The number of American casualties were greater than the total Allied casualties at the Battle of Normandy on D-Day.
On March 26, 1945, the island of Iwo Jima was declared secure ... 37 days after the battle began. Henceforth, Iwo Jima would appear on the list in Marine Corps history alongside such places as Belleau Woods, Chosin Reservoir and Guadacanal.
Twenty-seven Medal of Honor medals were awarded for actions during the battle. Of these, 14 were awarded posthumously. Marines earned 22 of the medals, Navy Corpsman earned 4 and a Naval officer from the USS LCI won the other. Of the total number of Medal of Honor medals awarded to Marines in WWII, 27% of those were awarded to the Marines who fought on Iwo Jima.
By their victory, the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions and other units of the Fifth Amphibious Corps have made an accounting to their country which only history will be able to value fully.
Posted by Leading Marines.com at 2/19/2010 8:54 PM 
Categories: Legacy
Tags: Military History heroism USMC History Marine Corps Legacy Marine Corps History
Categories: Legacy
Tags: Military History heroism USMC History Marine Corps Legacy Marine Corps History
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