“Among the Americans who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue.”
Admiral Chester W. Nimitz
The 8 square mile volcanic island of Iwo Jima was under Japanese control in early 1945. The island lay approximately 700 miles south of Tokyo. The seemingly small island was strategically a giant; to both sides its capture meant the invasion of mainland Japan.
The Japanese spent many weeks digging 3 miles of tunnels throughout the island and building 800 machinegun positions, recognizing the importance of maintaining control of the island. Aware of the Japanese intense commitment to maintaining control of the island the United States began intensive bombardment of Iwo Jima and surrounding volcanic islands on December 8, 1944. The Japanese were so heavily entrenched this action did little to weaken their forces or resolve.
On February 16, 1945 the First Carrier Task Force mounted air strikes against Honshu to distract the Japanese from attack on Iwo Jima. From February 16 – 18 US air and naval forces attacked the island of Iwo Jima in preparation of the D-day landing.
On February 19, the Fourth and Fifth Marine Divisions landed on the beaches of Iwo Jima. Initially the landing seemed quiet, although difficult. Difficult because the soft sand made it laborious work for Marines and sailors to maintain good footing and move machinery up the beach. As the Navy’s protective gunfire subsided, the Japanese began to open fire on the US troops from hiding places throughout the island. Men, hugging the ground for protection, said they could hear the Japanese talking under them. At the end of this first day of fighting 566 Americans were killed and 1755 were wounded. Despite these conditions the Marines were able to gain a foothold on the island.
During the second day of battle the Marines had secured the southern end of the island and were preparing to take Mt. Suribachi. By the end of the day on February 20, 1945 the Marines had control of one-third of the island and one airfield. By February 23, the Marines reached the summit of Mt. Suribachi and raised the American Flag. This sight lifted the spirits of all Americans on the island.
On February 24, 1945 the Third Marine Division joined the battle. This division was set with the task of taking the middle of the island. By this time the Japanese knew that capture of the island was imminent but continued to fight valiantly, in order to save honor.
The Marines fought fiercely for every inch of ground. The miles of interlocking caves and reinforcements were among the most difficult challenges the Marines faced in the Pacific Theatre. By the end of the day on March 9 the Marines successfully separated the Japanese defenses by reaching the northeast beaches of the island.
The battle of Iwo Jima entered the final stages on March 11. The Japanese had been reduced to small pockets of resistance. Finally, on March 26, 1945 the island of Iwo Jima was declared secure. Twenty-seven men were awarded the Medal of Honor for heroic actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima; more than any other battle during the war.