Battle of Iwo Jima - Marines Remember Their Heritage
The Battle of Iwo Jima was the only battle in Marine
Corps history where more Marines lost their lives
than the enemy. Even still, from Feb. 19 to March
26, 1945, Marines fought and bled to secure a
valuable assets for the United State's Pacific
Fleet.
On the fifth day, a contingent from the 28th
Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division, climbed Mount Suribachi and raised an American Flag.
The photo of
five Marines and a Navy corpsman holding the flag
became a symbol of hope for the war effort in the
Pacific and the Marine Corps. Twenty-seven Medals of
Honor were awarded to American service members for
actions on Iwo Jima.
The seizure of Iwo Jima
eliminated a strong defense near Japan's mainland,
and gave the United States a much-needed resupply
point in the advance toward Japan.
