Remembering Iwo Jima After 70 Years

February 19th through March 26th marks the 70th anniversary the Battle of Iwo Jima. The Battle of Iwo Jima was a crucial strategic victory during World War II, in which the United States Armed Forces captured Iwo Jima island from the Japanese Imperial Army. The battle, which lasted five weeks, saw some of the bloodiest and most fierce combat of the War in the Pacific. Approximately 6,800 American and 20,000 Japanese troops were killed during the battle.

Despite the island’s size, the Battle of Iwo Jima is remembered for many reasons. The naval bombardments and air raids against the island lasted 74 days prior to the actual amphibious landing, and was the longest and most severe raid in the Pacific theater. By the time of the amphibious landing, approximately 450 U.S. ships surrounded Iowa Jima with 60,000 U.S. Marines and thousands of U.S. Navy Seabees aboard ready for battle.

The U.S. Merchant Marine also played an important and often overlooked role in the capture of Iwo Jima, and 44 merchant ships were sunk during the invasions. The availability of merchant vessels largely determined what the U.S. could or could not do militarily, and some even argue that World War II would have been lost if it weren’t for the Merchant Marine carrying the personnel, supplies and equipment needed throughout the war. During the Battle of Iwo Jima, the Merchant Marine was also responsible for returning the wounded and dead American troops home and bringing replacement forces and supplies back to the island. 

“The battle itself serves as a reminder of the bravery and gallantry displayed by those who have gone before us and why we, the Sailors and Marines of Iwo Jima, choose to serve and protect our country,” wrote Captain Dana Gordon, commanding officer of the USS Iwo Jima. The USS Iwo Jima, a powerful namesake to the legendary battle and all those lost in it, is an assault ship that is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations as the flagship of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. The ship features the Suribachi Room, a small museum home to historical pieces from the battle 70 years ago.

The Battle of Iwo Jima has been the subject of movies, including the “Sands of Iwo Jima,” and the famous image of the U.S. flag raised in victory was featured on a 1945 three-cent postage stamp. Every year during February 19th and March 26th both Japanese and American veterans join together at various locations around the U.S. to commemorate the gallantry and sacrifice of the legendary battle.