What started as a quick, violent attack on February 19, 1945, turned into 36 days of some of the fiercest and bloodiest fighting the Marines would ever encounter. The amphibious assault on Iwo Jima was considered to be the “ultimate storm landing,” with a striking force of 74,000 Marines. The US sent more Marines to Iwo than to any other battle, 110,000 Marines in 880 Ships. The U.S. Marine 4th and 5th Divisions led the invasion, with the 3rd Division in reserve. The first day saw more then 2,400 American casualties but, during the battle U.S. Marines, killed an estimated 20,000 Japanese and captured over 1,000 prisoners.
The Marines successfully invaded and conquered the 8 square mile island on March 25, 1945. After 5 weeks of continuous fighting, the U. S. had suffered over 26,000 Casualties, including 6,800 Dead. The Battle for Iwo Jima earned 27 Congressional Medals of Honor for Marines and Sailors, of which more Posthumous Awards were bestowed than for any other single operation during WWII.
Of the flag raisers pictured in the famous Joe Rosenthal photograph only three survived. The others were killed in action on Iwo. The picture is the most reproduced picture in the world. Please take some time out of your busy lives to remember the day and lives that were lost to secure the freedoms we are enjoying as we speak. Thank You. Semper Fidelis
“Among the Americans who served on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue. –Admiral Nimitz”
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My amphibious group went there in the 80’s. First since the war we were told. I didn’t actually go on the island but to see it, it is such a small island for such a large loss of life.
Mike, I was with How Company 3rd Batt, 9th Marines in Okinawa and we made the landing in 1955.
R.I.P. My C.O. Capt Arthur Jackson M.O.H. winner on Iwo. Died about a moth ago.
Oops, just checked it his MOH was awarded for action on Pelilu. He died a month or so ago at age 92.
I had the honor of knowing 2 Marines who fought in that battle.Each was a hero in their personal life after the War.One rose to the position of #2 in the New York City Transit Police.He would say “the first time I got shot was on the 9th day .The big one was on the 27th day………” They were truly wonderful men, fathers and Marines.
A good friend of mine landed in the 3rd or fourth wave. He was in artillery. His name was Warren Hoxsey. Sorry to say He passed away a few years ago. I am pretty sure he also served on Siapan.
Had the privilege of meeting Corpsman Bradly in late 66. We lived in Appleton, WI and my dad was a good friend of Mr. Bradly’s brother in law so they ran into each other socially. When introduced to him, it was mentioned that I was going to Marine boot camp in Feb. I will NEVER forget the look he gave me as he extended his hand and wished me much luck. That look cut to the very core and what it conveyed can not be put into words. Have never experienced anything like it. It is still there and can picture it to this day. Thought much about it but how one look can contain respect, pride, sadness, pity and something a kin to brotherhood love is and always will be a wonder to me. I did not know his history til after the meeting but….knew something special has just happened. Sounds strange but it was and is what it is!!! Semepr Fi
When ever I read about Iwo Jima, my mind goes back to my high school years. Enrolled in the Asheville High Marine Corps JROTC Program, our Senior Marine Instructor was Col. Alfred Isom (A.I.) Thomas. Having served in three wars, it was a rare event whenever the Col. would talk about his combat experience. One day, three of my best friends and I ( the four musketeers) were chatting with the Col. in his office and we brought up the subject of Iwo Jima. The Col. had us shut the door and he began to tell us about from the time he landed, to the time he left the shore. Enlisted at the time, the Col. told us of the horrors he had seen, the taking of enemy positions, and the good friends in his command that were lost. He also told us that when he finally took off his shirt, he found five bullet holes that he didn’t know were in it and not a scratch on him (his words). We saw that it brought him down emotionally after telling us, the subject was NEVER brought up again. Col. Thomas was our mentor, our role model and our beloved Col. T. “LEAD, FOLLOW, or get the HELL OUT OF THE WAY”
In Honor of my Father, P.F.C. Joseph Alu U.S.M.C. who was with the 5th Marine Division, Pioneer Btn. and landed with the 7th wave. Passed away in 2005. Semper Fi. 3 generations of UNITED STATUS MARINES from 1942-2000 in my family. OOH-RA MARINES.
Semper Fi
I am so filled with pride, that I actually earned the right to wear the Marine green. (’67-’71), The same green uniform that those brave men wore on Iwo. I too, served in the 5th MarDiv, …..a generation after Iwo Jima!….. I was at Camp Pendeleton, in formation, on the parade deck at Mainside, when the Fifth Marine Division Colors were rolled up and retired for the 2nd time. I believe it was 1970. Semper Fidelis
Make that James Norton, 2377865,…….. I should have said ‘Recovering Marine Sgt.’– (Not Former)– I embarrassed myself. It won’t happen again guys. Don’t tell Chesty on me………. You never get over your experiences in the Corps. Love you guys! Semper Fi
It was late Nov. or early Dec. 1969 that the colors were retired. I was with B Co. 13th Engineers at that time at Area 15 Camp Pendleton. Quite a memorable experience. My Father in Law was at Iwo with the 5th,and the colors were rolled up in early 1946 while he was still a part of the 5th Marine Div. Semper Fi,
Iwo means a lot to me, as a small boy in 1945 my Uncle, a 2ndLt. , Platoon Leader landed with the 5th Marines. He landed just before all hell broke loose and something very strange happened that I doubt occurred to any Platoon on the beach that day, he didn’t lose a man the first day. He recounted this to me when I was a Marine, but he also said that he lost half his men on the second day advancing on the airfield. He told me of the sleepless nights and sometimes the hand to hand fighting that occurred during the Japanese mad charges. He landed as a Platoon Leader and came off as a Company Commander. The horrors of war haunted my Uncle throughout his life, and as for as I know he never sought help for PTSD.
He gave me his K-Bar which I treasure today.
A sequel to the story my Nephew, a Captain in the Marine Corp. went a shore on Iwo Jima, scooped up some sand where the 5th Marines, Red 1 landed and sent it to me. It sits on my desk today.
Semper Fi
Hi, Nick Bailey! Thanks for your interesting comment, but there is a difference between the 5th Marine Division and the 5th Marines, a regiment in the 1st MarDiv. Semper fidelis!
My father,my hero. Cpl. Warren King was severely wounded on that island. Having lost the use of his left hand never stopped him from anything. Never ever talked about it ever. I was also in the Marine Corps and was also wounded in Viet Nam and am 100% disabled. Iwo Jima was HELL on earth.
As the son of an Iwo Jima survivor (4th Marine Division), all be it a severely wounded one. And a marine myself (72-74) I can only tell you that my father paid a long and painful price for freedom, but would not have changed a thing. The only thing I can say to that is of course “SEMPER FI”.
Iwo Jima is a very harrowing place, I was privileged t,o take small groups of Marines out to the Island for Battle Field Study when I was Stationed in Japan. Over the course of two (2) years I took about 12 Groups for a weeks stay. While we were their on several occasions, we discovered The site of an underground Japanese Hospital and several other sites that uncovered live ordnance stored there by the Japanese. I also had the privilege of reenlisting my last time on Mt Saribachi where the second American Flag was raised. I am trying yo find the pictures of it and will send then once I find them. I was presented the American Flag Raised that day by the last U S Coast Guard Detachment to be stationed there which was a great Honor. Semperfi.
Very humbling. Hard to find the words. Much respect for those that secured that living hell. SSgt. ’79-’90