Iwo Jima
Honoring the Marines who fought and fell at Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima (Operation Detachment) was a major battle in which the United States Marine Corps and Navy fought for and captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Imperial Japanese Army. The battle took place from February 19 to March 26, 1945.
The battle was marked by some of the fiercest fighting of the Pacific War. Of the approximately 70,000 U.S. Marines and sailors who participated, nearly 7,000 were killed and more than 19,000 were wounded. The Japanese garrison of 21,000 men fought nearly to the last man.
Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz said of the Marines who fought there:
"Among the Americans who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue."
The Raising of the Flag
On February 23, 1945, a group of six Marines raised the American flag atop Mount Suribachi, the highest point on the island. Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal captured the moment in what became one of the most iconic photographs in American history.
The photograph inspired the Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial) in Arlington, Virginia, which was dedicated on November 10, 1954 — the 179th anniversary of the founding of the Marine Corps.
Howlin' Mad Smith and Iwo Jima
Our detachment is named in honor of General Holland McTyeire "Howlin' Mad" Smith, USMC, who commanded the Expeditionary Troops, Task Force 56, during the Battle of Iwo Jima. General Smith was one of the most distinguished Marine commanders of World War II and a pioneer of amphibious warfare doctrine.