What is Iwo Jima?

Answer 1

Iwo Jima is a very small Japanese island approximately half way between the Marianas Island chain and the main Japanese islands. The Japanese have long considered it part of the "homeland", even though it is very isolated and distant from the main Japanese archipelago.

Historically, it is known for the major battle fought there in 1945 near the end of the Second World War. It was the first battle fought on "Japanese" home soil, and the outcome heavily influenced the thinking of Allied planners as to the cost and prospect of any Allied invasion of the main Japanese home islands.

It is particularly notable for the extremely heavy hand-to-hand combant between the US Marine Corps and the Imperial Japanese Army. Fighting was far more intense than Allied planners had expected, with very high casualty rates amongst the attacking US Marines, while the IJA died almost to the man. Approximate casualties were 7,000 dead/19,000 wounded for the Marines, and 18,000 killed/200 captured for the IJA.

The iconic picture (and perhaps most famous combat photo of all time) of several Marines raising the US flag was taken on top of the island's main mountain several days after fighting began, though the battle continued for several more weeks. This picture is the basis for the US Marine Corps War Memorial just outside Arlington National Cemetery.

Answer 2

The Iwo Jima Memorial is dedicated to every US Marine who has given their life in the defense of their country .

Semper Fidelis

Answer 3

"Marine Corps War Memorial "