On this day 65 years ago, the U.S. Marines launched the invasion of Iwo Jima - a small, barren Pacific island guarded by Japanese artillery. However, it was needed to build airfields for bombing raids against Japan, only 660 miles away.
As the Marines landed, seven Japanese battalions opened fire on them. At day's end, more than 550 Marines were dead; more than 1800 were wounded. The capture of Mt. Suribachi, the highest point on the island, took more than four more days with many more casualties. When the American flag was raised on Iwo Jima, this famous photo was taken. It later won the Pulitzer Prize. (Source: The History Channel)
No comments:
Post a Comment