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World War II was a time of uncertainty and heartache all over the world. Millions of young men were being sent off to battle and would not return. It was a time of mass bloodshed and confusion. During war between the United States and the Empire of Japan, on a tiny volcanic island in the South Pacific lied the spot of one of the most important US battles against Japan. The Battle of Iwo Jima – a fierce battle during Pacific conflicts of World War II- did not merely serve as a landing zone for Bomber planes under distress located 750 miles from Tokyo, the conquering of the highly fortified Island gave US Marines and Americans alike a strong sense of American Pride.
Under direct orders from President Roosevelt, Admiral Chester William Nimitz , On Christmas 1941, was ordered to take command as Commander in Chief, Pacific fleet or (CinCPac). The New CinCPac directed operations in Hawaii not far from Pearl Harbor, from atop the extinct volcano known as Makalapa. Under the tightest military security was a four-story concrete building where military leaders would continue to meet to plan the pacific division of the war. Nimitz assignment personally given in the Oval office by President Roosevelt was to defend Hawaii and fight, for months and possibly years, with what remained of decimated United States military power in the pacific. (Ross, 2-9)
Commander of the Japanese was brilliant Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. Yamamoto was the mastermind behind Pearl Harbor. Aware of the industrial superiority of the United States in a prolonged war he said, "Unless the American fleet is put out of action by 1942, the balance of power will shift to the United States and that will be the end." At the time the US was outgunned and outnumbered so Japanese action had to be taken at once. Guam, Wake Island, and the Philippines were quickly overrun. Soon after, the Aleutians were invaded, and Alaska threatened. But, just as expected by Yamamoto power soon shifted. (Ross, 7-13)
In the morning haze of June 3, 1942 Admiral Nimitz had set an ambush for the Japanese, at Midway. For Japan, controlling Midway meant tight control between United States and Hawaii, and the South Pacific and Australia. It would be a fine rendezvous point for carrier based attacks against the West Coast. For the next forty-three hours, the outcome of the war in the Pacific was left in shaky balance. On the morning of June 4 as the morning skies came ablaze with brilliant sunlight, the battle erupted in a furious confusion. It was a standoff until early afternoon when Nimitz sent the Hornet, with its fighters, dive-bombers, and torpedo planes swarming into the action. Spectacular dogfights cluttered the skies, and in the end heavy black smoke rose thousands of feet into the sky signaling the Japanese had failed to conquer the island of Midway. (Ross, 19)
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Now the United States swung its own attack. Each military campaign from there on became bigger, more costly, more complicated, and always crucial to the long journey to Japan. Marines invaded and suffered heavy casualties in key strongholds: Guadalcanal, Guam, Saipan, Bourgainville, Tarawa, and Peleliu. During this time, around October 1944, allied forces were on the offensive on all fronts of the global war. The next step in Army Commander MacArthur's plan was the recapture of the entire Philippines and the seizure of Okinawa and Formosa, and land a million man force on the Chinese Mainland. From there could be mounted the final invasion and conquest of Japan. (Ross, 23-26)
Pulverizing the heartland of Japan through brutal air attacks had given the United States an advantage. The bomb run to Japan had always been dangerous at best. The main reason for this was the Island of Iwo Jima. With this tiny island 800 miles from Japan in their hands, using their primitive radar, Japanese interceptors were able to lift off, gain altitude, and ambush Japan-bound formations in devastating numbers. Rather than MacArthurs' plan to take South Chinese mainland, on September 7, 1944 the Admiral Nimitz assembled his admirals and generals to make plans for the invasion of Iwo Jima.
(Ross, 245)
Iwo Jima, a few miles of rock in the South
Pacific, was the location of one of the most
important battles for the US during WWII.
Iwo Jima is located in the South Pacific just 750 miles from Tokyo. The Island itself is only 8.5 square miles and is focused around Mt. Suribachi, a dormant 545-foot volcano, on the south side of the island. (Scribner,450) Iwo Jima means sulfur island, and is a volcanic island that was used to mine sulfur and refine sugar. The small island was covered in dense forest making great natural bunkers and trenches. (Perret, 399) The US occupied Iwo Jima until 1968, when it was returned to Japan.
Iwo Jima, one of the most important battles of World War II, took place on a tiny volcanic island in the South Pacific. But what was the Purpose of conquering this tiny island? American B-29 bombers were flying missions over Japan at the time but were suffering heavy losses on the long-range missions. Iwo Jima, well within striking distance of Tokyo, was seen as an ideal staging area for expanded bombing runs with fighter cover and a key location for damaged bombers to land in emergency situations. (Brown)The bombers were able to travel greater distances than smaller fighter planes, but without a nearby airfield they were forced to fly without proper fighter escort. It already had an airstrip for emergency landings, so it would be ideal for distressed American bombers. A geographically ideal spot, Iwo Jima was the most important island in the "Stepping Stone" operation of the United States.
Using new tactics and technology, the Japanese were able to slow down the inevitable conquering of their tiny tropical stronghold. Led by General Kurbayachi the Japanese constructed a massive fortress of defense of the island centered on Mt. Suribachi and overshadowed the southern landing beach. Instead of normal Japanese tactics of a beach defensive position at the waters edge, Kuribachi decided instead to defend from an elaborate system of tunnels, caves, and trenches dug into and throughout the island itself. (Frank, Oxford) Its defenses--the most elaborate, dense, and best integrated in the Pacific--included three airfields; over 730 major installations with 120 guns larger than 75mm; 220 large mortars, howitzers, and rocket launchers; and ten miles of underground tunnels linking hundreds of bunkers and blockhouses. (Iwo Jima) The island was guarded by more than 21,000 men armed with more than 1,000 heavy guns defended the small fierce island of Iwo Jima. (Wheal) Mt. Suribachi dominates both possible landing beaches. Mentally prepared, The Japanese focused their tactics around knowing they would all be killed. The goal was for each soldier was to kill 10 Americans before they were killed. General Kurbayachi showed this in a letter to his wife: "The enemy may land on this island soon. Once they do, we must follow the fate of those on Attu and Saipan. Our officers and men know about "Death" very well. I am sorry to end my life here, fighting the United States of America, but I want to defend this island as long as possible and to delay the enemy air raids on Tokyo." (Voda) Japanese gunners zeroed in on every inch of the landing beach. Blockhouses and pillboxes flanked the landing areas. Within, more heavy weapons stood ready to blast the attacking Marines. Machine guns criss-crossed the beaches with deadly interlocking fire. Rockets, anti-boat and anti-tank guns were also trained on the beaches. There were no front lines. It is possible that no other given area in the history of modern war has been so skillfully fortified by nature and by man.
Conquering this Island demanded a strategic military plan carried out using brute force. The United States used an "Island Hopping" strategy in the central Pacific kept the Japanese off balance and effectively isolated island defenders during the American advance toward Japan. (Alison) The tactics of the U.S. Marine Corps in the island-hopping drive across the central Pacific were controversial even during World War II. Critics, including elements of the
U.S. Army, argued that the Marines knew
only one way to fight--direct assault, cost what it might. (Ross/Random) To reduce US casualties from ground fighting, Iwo Jima received heavy US bombing from mid December all the way up until early February. Assigned to capture the Island was Marine Major General Harry Schidt leading his fifth Corps, that consisted of the third, fourth, and fifth divisions. On February 19, 1945 4th and 5th divisions of 5th Amphibious Marine Corps, With 3rd Marine division in rescue landed of the Island after 72 days of Air Bombardment. Admiral Nimitz describing US bombing of the Island said, "No other island during WWII received as much preliminary pounding as did Iwo." The US sent 110,000 marines to the island in 880 ships. (Frank/ Oxford)
The battle of Iwo Jima was one of the most bloody and widely known Battles of World War II. Shortly before 2am on Feb. 19, 1945, the Navy began firing on the Island Of Iwo Jima. Next 110 bombers bombed the tiny island until it looked like it had been torched. At 8:30 am 1954 the first wave of Marines were ordered to storm the beaches. Because the island was volcanic, the volcanic ash of the beaches made it impossible to dig foxholes. The Marines were sitting ducks for the heavy machine gunners and the trench hitting riflemen. The Marines were above ground and the Japanese were below them underground. The Marines rarely saw an alive Japanese soldier. The Japanese could see the Marines perfectly. Every Marine, everywhere on the island was always in range of Japanese guns. (Ross/ Legacy) The Battle was known as one of the most famous engagements in the "stepping stone" operation leading to the end of the pacific campaign of WWII. Historians described U.S. forces' attack against the Japanese defense as "throwing human flesh against reinforced concrete." After bitter fighting the US forces took Mt. Suribachi on February 23 1945, spot of the famous flag raising. The Japanese fought with astonishing bravery and made their last stand, up to the very last Japanese soldier in a rocky canyon now known as the "Bloody Gorge". (Perret, 399)
The most famous photo of WWII is unquestionably the flag raising of February 23, 1945. This photo, although staged of the previous flag raising that occurred earlier that day was atop Mt. Suribachi in which the fought inch by inch up the mountain. The photo was taken by Joe Rosenthal who one a Pulitzer prize for the photo. The survivors: Bradley, Hayes and Gagnon became national heroes within weeks. This photo means so much to us symbolically. IT shows the American rising up during a time of challenge and overcoming all odds and impossibilities.
The Iwo Jima accomplishment was a vital victory for the US, but very costly in Human Lives. 6,821 US soldiers were killed fighting the battle of Iwo Jima and 17,400 wounded. Easy Company started with 310 men. Some battalions lost a very high amount of soldiers: "We suffered 75% casualties. Only 50 men boarded the ship after the battle. Seven officers went into the battle with me. Only one--me--walked off Iwo." (Showalter) Captain Dave Severance Easy Company Commander. Iwo gave the United States a forward air base at the front door of the Japanese homeland, a bastion that cleared the way and made feasible the dropping of atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki to win the War. (Ross, 357) "The battle of Iwo Island has been won. By their victory, the 3d, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions and other units of the 5th Amphibious Corps have made an accounting to their country which only history will be able to value fully. (Isley) Among the Americans who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue." -Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. The island itself served as an effective landing zone for distressed bombers saving more than 24,000 B-29 air-shipmen. The battle itself was a very costly for the Japanese as well, with more than 20,000 Japanese were killed and 1,083 captured. A total of one third of all the marines killed during World War II were killed in 36 days on an unknown island in the South Pacific, that is the size of Manhattan.
The inch by inch fighting and conquering of the tiny island gave prestige to the United States Marine Corps and every American troop. The brave troops going against extremely hostile foes gave rise to American spirit and national pride during WWII Iwo Jima was a bastion that cleared the war and made feasible the dropping of atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. United States Marines are now known for their fierce combat tactics, and will to never give up. The sacrifice of 6,821 soldiers helped save the lives of more than 24,000-air crew and created the possibility to drop the atomic bomb. Without these brave soldiers fighting and giving up their lives, the Japanese Empire would not have been defeated as quickly. (Ross, XV) (Frank, Oxford)
The Famous Picture gave raise to the famous statue. The flag-raising photo caused an immediate sensation across the country. Just two days after it was first seen in the US, Senators rose on the floor of the US Senate calling for a national monument modeled on the picture. The California State Legislature petitioned the Federal Government to build a grand monument. Thousands of ordinary American's wrote the President appealing for a monument to immortalize the picture they loved. Felix DeWeldon, an ambitious sculptor, had a clay replica of the picture sculpted within 72 hours of seeing the picture. DeErldon was hired and along with hundreds of other artisans, he worked 8 years to complete the memorial. Each figure is 32 feet high. The flagpole is 60 feet in length. (Ross, 255)It's the world's tallest bronze statue. It's stands 78 feet high. A cloth flag flies from the pole. The statue is located in the Arlington National cemetery. The cost of the statue was $850,000. No public funds were used. Private donations picked up the tab. The inscription at the bottom reads: "Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue." (Iwo Jima)
It is difficult to understand what good can come from such a large loss of life. We must learn to respect and understand what these young men did for the greater good of our Country. It does not seem right for thousands of men of all different races to be killing one another on an island that looks more like a paradise than a battle field. These thousands of Marines died for their country, for 8.5 square miles. Without a Great War or a great depression, we seem to take for granted our forefather's sacrifice for our freedom. These men have given us so much strength from their bravery. After September 11th a common photo was the firefighters raising the American Flag amongst the rubble, very similar to the Iwo Jima flag raising. Brave acts like the flag raising of Iwo Jima have given us bravery and strength to keep our nation strong and faithful. Sepmer Fidelis.
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