KEY EVENTS
- June 4-July 24, 1944... Navy task force bombards the volcano and Bonin Islands, including Iwo Jima.
- October 3, 1944... US occupies the islands.
- December 8, 1944... 74 staright days of ariel bombings.
QUOTATIONS
" On Iwo Jima, one of their smartest general is commanded, a man who did not believe in the Banzai business; each Jap was to kill ten marines-for a while they were beating their quotas."- Colonel Justice M Chambers (battalion commander).
"How could I feel like a hero when only five men in my platoon of 45 survived, when only 27 men in my company of 250 managed to escape death or injury?"- Hayes
"How could I feel like a hero when only five men in my platoon of 45 survived, when only 27 men in my company of 250 managed to escape death or injury?"- Hayes
KEY INDIVIDUALS
Ira Hamilton Hayes
Ira Hamilton Hayes- Hayes was born on January 12, 1923. He was born on an Indian reserve. Hayes is a Pima Indian born in Sacaton, Arizona. His parents were both farmers. Hayes's chief told him to be an "Honorable Warrior" and to bring honor to his family. By the beginning of 1945, Hayes was apart of the US invasion force that attacked the Japanese stronghold of Iwo Jima. On February 23, 1945... Hayes helped raise the American flag on Mount Suribuchi.
Tadamichi Kuribayashi
LtGen Tadamichi Kuribayashi- Kuribayashi was informed by the Japanese Prime Minister, General Tojo, that he would command the garrison on Iwo Jima. Kuribayashi had spent time in the United States and said that "the United States is the last country in the world that Japan should fight." Kuribayashi viewed his appointment as a challenge, as well as a death sentence. A little after his arrival on the island of Iwo Jima, he wrote his wife "Do not plan for my return,". While in battle, Kuribayashi and his men inflicted more casualties on the US Marines than his troops suffered. Japanese radio described him as having a "traditional pot belly of a samurai warrior and the heart of a Tiger.".
Chester Nimitz
On October 3, 1944, Chester Nimitz was informed that he would occupy the islands of Iwo Jima. Nimitz entrusted the assault and planning, so he decided to go with it. This operation was codenamed "Operation Detachment". Since Nimitz has never lost a sea battle, President Roosevelt bypassed almost thirty more senior admirals to appoint him CINCPAC. Nimitz had a great ability to solve problems with senior officers. However, long running disputes were legendary.
Outcome
The US won the battle of Iwo Jima. However, three of the men were killed raising the flag. 22,000 Japanese soldiers were killed, there were 24,053 US casualties, and 6,140 US soldiers died.
Citations
biggb.net. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Mar. 2013. <http://www.biggb.net/BattlesPacific/IwoJima2.html>.
marine medals. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Mar. 2013. <http://www.marinemedals.com/chambersjustice.htm>.
National Park Service. NPS, n.d. Web. 1 Mar. 2013. <http://www.nps.gov/index.htm>.
US Department of Defense. Defense, n.d. Web. 1 Mar. 2013. <http://www.defense.gov/>.
marine medals. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Mar. 2013. <http://www.marinemedals.com/chambersjustice.htm>.
National Park Service. NPS, n.d. Web. 1 Mar. 2013. <http://www.nps.gov/index.htm>.
US Department of Defense. Defense, n.d. Web. 1 Mar. 2013. <http://www.defense.gov/>.