OKINAWA MARINES AND SAILORS VISIT IWO JIMA

8 JUL 2019 | Lance Cpl. Brienna TuckIII Marine Expeditionary Force

74 years ago the U.S. Marine Corps underestimated their enemy, what they had anticipated to be a short battle against the outnumbered Japanese troops ended up as a 36-day siege resulting in nearly 7,000 Marines losing their lives. There was no doubt the U.S. would successfully complete their mission, however the landing forces were not prepared for the Japanese that were well entrenched and had prepared for battle, resulting in one of the bloodiest battles in U.S. Marine Corps history. 

Iwo Jima has since become a memorial ground to honor all of the American and Japanese troops that died in the battle. Today Japan and the U.S. are allies, on occasion service members are able to visit the island and reflect on the history. Stepping foot on an iconic battle site of World War II is a once in a lifetime opportunity that most service members do not get to experience. Marines and Sailors of Okinawa were fortunate enough to visit the island and learn about some of the history of that Battle.

A professional military education presentation was given on the beaches by U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Evan C. Clark, the training officer of 7th Communication Battalion, July 2, 2019. The Marines and Sailors hiked the 5k trail from the flight line to the beach, along the way were various memorials of those who fought during this 36-day battle. Photo by Lance Cpl. Brienna Tuck

“One memorial stood out to me as especially moving,” said Clark. “There was a memorial built where U.S. and Japanese veterans of the Battle of Iwo Jima were brought back, where they met stands a plaque honoring their reunion.”

The plaque was made for the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima when American and Japanese veterans of the war returned to the island. They came together in friendship to honor the sacrifices of those who fought bravely and honorably. 

Following the presentation, U.S. Navy Lt. Hal Jones, the Chaplain for 7th Comm. Bn. offered a prayer and proposed a moment of silence to honor and respect all of the people that died during the events that took place on Iwo Jima. 

“Any person that has served has seen pictures from Iwo Jima, particularly the raising of the flag on Mt. Suribachi,” said Jones.

But it’s impossible to fully comprehend from just pictures as to how many bodies were here strewn all over the beach and the extreme difficulty they went through. Being here has brought a better understanding of what took place here.

U.S. Navy Lt. Hal Jones, the Chaplain for 7th Comm

Both Clark and Jones said they believe the presentation to be important and beneficial to the Marines and Sailors serving their country. 
“More than anything, it is a reminder of our history,” said Clark. “This is why we exist as a service. This is where we rediscover the importance of what the Marine Corps does.”

The Battle for Iwo Jima
Location: Volcanic island 660 miles south of Tokyo Size: 2 miles wide by 4 miles long (8 sm)
Background: Summer/Fall 1944
Even before ground operations to secure the Mariana Islands of Guam, Saipan, and Tinian ended, U.S. Naval construction battalions were already clearing land for air bases suitable for the new B-29 “Superfortresses.” These huge bombers had a range capable of reaching the Japanese Home Islands. The first B-29 bombing runs began in October 1944. But there was a problem— Japanese fighters taking off from tiny Iwo Jima were intercepting B- 29s, as well as attacking the Mariana airfields. The U.S. determined that Iwo Jima must be captured.
The Battle:
U.S. Marines invaded Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945, after months
of naval and air bombardment. The Japanese defenders of the
island were dug into bunkers deep within the volcanic rocks.
Approximately 70,000 U.S. Marines and 18,000 Japanese soldiers
took part in the battle. In thirty-six days of fighting on the island,
nearly 7,000 U.S. Marines were killed. Another 20,000 were
wounded. Marines captured 216 Japanese soldiers; the rest were killed in action. The island was finally declared secured on March 16, 1945. It had been one of the bloodiest battles in Marine Corps history.
After the battle, Iwo Jima served as an emergency landing site for more than 2,200 B-29 bombers, saving the lives of 24,000 U.S. airmen. Securing Iwo Jima prepared the way for the last and largest battle in the Pacific: the invasion of Okinawa.
Awards:
The Flag Raising:
The flag-raising atop Mt. Suribachi took place on February 23, 1945; five days after the battle began. Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal took the famous photograph of five Marines and one Navy corpsman raising the flag. The flag raisers were Cpl. Harlon Block, Navy Pharmacist’s Mate John Bradley, Cpl. Rene Gagnon, PFC Franklin Sousley, Sgt. Michael Strank, and Cpl. Ira Hayes. Three of these men—Strank, Sousley, and Block—were killed before the battle for Iwo Jima was over.
The photograph was quickly wired around the world and reproduced in newspapers across the United States. The image was used as a model for the Marine Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.
Twenty-seven Medals of Honor (our country’s highest military award for bravery) were awarded for action on Iwo Jima—more than any other battle in U.S. history.
“Among the men who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue”
—Admiral Chester W. Nimitz
The National WWII Museum  945 Magazine St.  New Orleans, LA 70130  www.nationalww2museum.org