The Iwo Jima Flag Raising

This day, February 23, 2025, marks the 80th anniversary of the iconic flag raising on Iwo Jima.

Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, by Joe Rosenthal of the Associated Press

When you go home, tell them of us and say, “For your tomorrow, we gave our today.”

The battle of Iwo Jima lasted 36 days (Stilwell, B.) and was the most costly battle in the history of the United States Marine Corps. It was also the only instance during the war in the Pacific that the enemy succeeded in inflicting more casualties on an attacking force than it sustained (O’Donnell, P.).

For the United States, capturing Iwo Jima was considered to be essential due to the fact that it would serve as an important air base that would allow B-29 bombers to fly closer to Japan without being detected (Collins, C.). In the beginning, many American military leaders had asserted that the battle for Iwo Jima would probably only last for about a week (Collins, C.), but others, on the other hand, were not so optimistic. Approximately 8-square miles in size, the island of Iwo Jima (also known as Sulfur Island) was considered by the Japanese to be their homeland, as well as a sacred part of their religious/cultural beliefs (Bradley, J., & Powers, R.), and unlike other islands and territories they had conquered and captured, it had always been Japanese soil (Collins, C.). As a result, they were firmly resolved to fight to keep it at all costs (Bradley, J., & Powers, R.).

Emperor Hirohito himself personally selected the head of his personal palace guard, Lieutenant General Tadamichi Kauribayashi to command the defense of Iwo Jima. Kauribayashi had studied extensively in Japanese military schools, and served in both Canadian and American embassies. His career allowed him to traverse across the United States, and study Americans and their ways (Bradley, J., & Powers, R.).

After receiving his command, Kauribayashi set to work fortifying and preparing Iwo Jima by installing an extensive, heavily fortified network of underground tunnels and caves, moving all fortifications underground, and organizing his defenses in such a way as to inflict as many losses as possible. The best fortification specialists of the Japanese army were sent to Iwo Jima to design its subterranean stronghold (Bradley, J., & Powers, R.), and about 15,000 Japanese worked tirelessly for 8 long months at hollowing out the island and installing the underground fortress (O’Donnell, P.). As a result of their efforts, Iwo Jima was transformed into not only the most heavily fortified island of WWII (Bradley, J., & Powers, R.), but also (as many would argue) the most heavily fortified island in the history of warfare (O’Donnell, P.). Kauribayashi’s hope was that the severe loss of American lives that his new fortress would allow the Japanese to inflict would force the United States to give up their attempt to take Iwo Jima (Bradley, J., & Powers, R.).

Leading the American offensive was legendary Marine Corps General Holland “Howlin’ Mad” Smith. Known as the “Patton of the Pacific,” Smith held the incredible record of never losing a battle that he and his Marines engaged in. Also known as, “The Father of Amphibious Warfare,” General Smith played a key role in the developed and perfection of amphibious warfare, and went on to train Marines with the ultimate goal of making them, “amphibious warriors.” Thanks to his efforts, the Marine Corps doctrine of amphibious warfare was eventually embraced by both the Navy and the Army, and significantly altered the way that Americans conduced warfare in general (Rigg, B.).

Towards the end of January, 1945 (Bradley, J., & Powers, R.), a large fleet of 450 ships and troop transports bearing the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Marine divisions (O’Donnell, P.) departed from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii for an undisclosed target known as “Island X.” Two days after their departure, their destination was revealed to be the Island of Iwo Jima. The Army Air Force bombed the island for a straight seventy-two days, making it both the longest sustained and heavily bombed target in the Pacific War. Astoundingly, despite all expectations, the enemy defenses hardly seemed to feel the impact of the bombings, and instead continued to grow significantly (Bradley, J., & Powers, R.).

On the dawn of February 19, at 8:30am, the ground assault on Iwo Jima began, with the first wave of US Marines hitting the beach at roughly 9:00am. Surprisingly, the Japanese defenses (which were occupied by a hidden garrison of 22,000 men (History.com)) remained very quiet, allowing the 4th and 5th Marine divisions to occupy the right and left flanks of the beachhead. Before long, the beaches were packed with men, equipment, and vehicles struggling through the thick, soft black sand and terraced terrain. Little did they know that they were walking into a carefully studied and prepared trap laid by Karibayashi, the effects of which would be horrific and deadly. Without warning, the uncanny silence was broken by the heavy artillery, projectiles, and machine guns of the enemy which proceeded to mow down the densely packed and unsheltered Marines, and ultimately leaving over 2,400 men either killed or wounded on the beach (O’Donnell, P.).

Despite the heavy and devastating enemy fire, the Marines continued on with their assault, and by the end of the day over 30,000 military personal had successfully managed to land on the beaches (NHHC). The 4th and 5th Marine divisions proceeded to make their way further inland, however their progress was significantly impeded by the underground fortification networks of tunnels and pillboxes (O’Donnell, P.). In most cases, thanks to Karibayashi’s underground fortress, the Japanese were never seen (History.com), and were able to get within close proximity of the American forces to brutally kill (or in some cases capture and later torture them to death) without their presence being realized until it was too late (O’Donnell, P.)(Bradley, J., & Powers, R.). At the same time, the U.S. Navy was subjected kamikaze attacks, resulting in the loss of the escort carrier Bismarck Sea, and the complete incapacitation of the fleet carrier Saratoga (NHHC).

As the day wore on, the 4th Marine division made their way towards the enemy airfields (NHHC), while the 5th Marine division isolated Mount Suribachi. The 3rd Marine division went on to join the fight on the fifth day (Miller, K.), after initially being held in reserve (NHHC). On February 20th, the 28th regiment of the 5th Marine Division began the treacherous assent to secure the Mount Suribachi itself. All throughout the assault on Mount Surbachi, Navy aircraft and artillery lent much needed support by targeting the enemy’s defensive positions, while individual or small groups of Marines using flamethrowers, grenades, and other small explosives played an instrumental role in destroying the Japanese strongholds (NHHC). At last, on February 22, after two hellish days of bloody combat, the Marines were able to successfully breach the enemy’s defenses, which Kuribayashi had believed would withstand attack for two weeks (O’Donnell, P.).

On the morning of February 23, US Marine 1st Lieutenant Harold Schrier of Easy Company led 40 men in a steep climb up to the top of Mount Suribachi, and after a brief skirmish with Japanese soldiers at its summit, they proceeded to raise a small American flag (O’Donnell, P.). This welcome sight was greeted by the loud shouts and cheers from the Marine Corps infantrymen all over the island, with sailors aboard ships posted offshore joining in, and blowing the ship’s horns (Stilewell, B.). Later that afternoon, the small flag was lowered and replaced with a much larger flag. As six men struggled to raise the heavy, makeshift flagpole, photographer Joel Rosenthal noticed what was occurring in time to capture the historical moment on camera, resulting in the iconic photograph that has now become a priceless and cherished memorandum of American WWII history (Bradley, J., & Powers, R.).

Though the flag raising on Mount Suribachi sent a message of hope and patriotism to the Marines and sailors engaged in the battle for Iwo Jima, the fight for Iwo Jima was far from being over (NHHC). The Japanese had been ordered by Kuribayashi to fight to the death and were also instructed to, “Kill ten of the enemy before dying.” As a result, very few of the Japanese soldiers chose to surrender, and the vast majority fought viciously to until they were eventually killed. All through the ensuing weeks as the Marines struggled on through the blackened, rocky, hilly terrain filled with obscure ravines, and caves, the Japanese continued impede their progress by ambush and surprise attacks, and inflicted heavy casualties (History.com). After over a week of bloody fighting, the Marines successfully secured all three enemy air fields by March 4th (NHHC). The official occupation of Iwo Jima was declared on March 14, however, the fighting still continued, and it was not until March 26 (five long weeks after the battle started (History.com)) that the entire island was declared secured (O’Donnell, P.).

On the Japanese side, nearly 21,000 were killed (the vast majority choosing death to surrender), and any survivors taken prisoner. General Kuribayashi is believed to have either died in combat or by his own hand (History.com). The battle of Iwo Jima cost the lives of almost 7,000 Marines and Navy personnel, while an additional 20,000 were wounded (History.com). An astounding 20% of the Marine Corps and Navy Metal of Honor awards from WWII were awarded to the veterans of Iwo Jima (Stilwell, B.). 22 Marines (13 or which were awarded posthumously) and 5 sailors were presented with the Metal of Honor award, while over 200 Navy cross metals were also awarded, making Iwo Jima, “The most highly decorated single engagement in United States history (Basinger, R.).”

As bloody and tragic as the Battle of Iwo Jima was for America, the courageous sacrifice that was made by so many ultimately went on to save countless lives. Iwo Jima went on to serve as an emergency air strip for American military pilots, and allowed for the emergency landings of over 2,400 B-29 bombers, ultimately saving the lives of an estimated 27,000 American Airmen during WWII (Haskew, M.).

At the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, during a commemoration ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz famously stated, “Among those who served on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue (U.S. Dept. of Defense).” We will probably never be able to fully comprehend the depth of horror and suffering that our servicemen endured on Iwo Jima for our freedoms, or fully grasp the magnitude of the great courage and sacrifice that they displayed on our behalf. However, in a very small, but meaningful way, we can show them our gratitude by not only remembering and thanking them for their courageous actions, but also ensuring that we do not take our nation, history, heritage, and freedoms for granted, and do all within our power to cherish and preserve them.

“It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain— that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address, November 19, 1863 (Cornell University).

80th Anniversary of Iwo Jima Commemoration (by Friends of the National WWII Memorial)

References:

Bradley, J., & Powers, R. (2016.) Title of work: subtitle. Bantam Books.

O’Donnell, P. (2002.) Into the Rising Sun: World War II’s Pacific Veterans Reveal the Heart of Combat. Free Press.

Stilwell, B. (2021, February 28.) The Story Behind the Two Flag Raisings at the Battle of Iwo Jima. Retrieved from: https://www.military.com/history/story-behind-two-flag- raisings-battle-of-iwo-jima.html

History.com. (2009, November 24.) U.S. flag raised on Iwo Jima. Retrieved from: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/u-s-flag-raised-on-iwo-jima

Rigg, M. (2021, March 27.) The Father of Amphibious Warfare. Retrieved from: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/father-amphibious-warfare-bryan-mark-rigg

NHHC: Naval History and Heritage Command. (2022, March 16.) Battle of Iwo Jima: 19 February– 26 March 1945. Retrieved from: https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/wars-conflicts-and-operations/world-war-ii/1945/battle-of-iwo-jima.html

Collins, C. (n.d.) Why Iwo Jima? The Importance of the Island, Then and Now. Retrieved from: https://issuu.com/faircountmedia/docs/iwo_jima_75_marines/s/10442297

Andrews, E. (2020, February 20.) How US Marines Won the Battle of Iwo Jima: A look back at one of the most hard-fought battles of World War II. Retrieved from: https:// www.history.com/news/how-us-marines-won-battle-of-iwo-jima

Haskew, M. (2015, February.) How The Battle of Iwo Jima Saved American Lives. Retrieved from: https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/how-the-battle-of-iwo- jima-saved-american-lives/

Stilwell, B. (2021, February 19.) 6 Reasons Why the Battle of Iwo Jima is So Important to Marines. Retrieved from: https://www.military.com/history/6-reasons-why-battle-of-iwo-jima-so-important-marines.html

Basinger, R. (n.d.) Iwo Jima: The Battle With the Greatest Number of Medals of Honor. Retrieved from: https://www.identifymedals.com/article/iwo-jima-the-battle-with-the- greatest-number-of-medals-of-honor/

Miller, J. (n.d.) Battle for Iwo Jima. Retrieved from: https:// www.usmcu.edu/Research/Marine-Corps-History-Division/Brief-Histories/Marines-in-World- War-II/Battle-for-Iwo-Jima/

U.S. Department of Defense. (n.d.) Photo on Display: "Among those who served on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue." - Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. Retrieved from: https://www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Photos/igphoto/2001157103/ .

Cornell University. (n.d.) The Gettysburg Address: Transcript of Cornell University’s Copy. Retrieved from: https://rmc.library.cornell.edu/gettysburg/good_cause/transcript.htm

Photo Credit:

Rosenthal, J. (1945, February 23.). Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima [Photograph]. National Archives and Records Administration. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ File:Raising_the_Flag_on_Iwo_Jima,_larger.jpeg