Today marks the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II, the first invasion of a home island of the Japanese Empire in the conflict. Commemorations are planned across the country, including at the Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, where a bronze replica stands of the battle’s iconic photo featuring six Marines hoisting the flag on the island’s Mount Suribachi—the second, much larger flag to be raised there (read history).
The battle saw three Marine divisions—roughly 70,000 men—take the 8-square-mile volcanic island over 36 days of vicious combat in what remains the largest force of US Marines ever deployed in a single battle (read detailed narrative). More than 21,000 Japanese fighters—sworn to fight to the death—were entrenched in concealed fortifications and miles of underground tunnels; only 216 were taken prisoner. See photos of the battle here.
More than 6,800 Americans were killed and 26,000 wounded. The Marines’ ultimate success prevented Japan from receiving early attack warnings, provided an emergency landing strip for US bombers, and brought the US within 800 miles of the mainland. Read more on its strategic significance here.
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