National Iwo Jima Memorial

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MILITARY · HISTORICAL MARKER

Historical Marker Database · Michael Herrick

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Military

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THE STORY

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Narrated · Plays hands-free in Travel Mode

The Battle of Iwo Jima in February and March 1945 became one of World War II’s defining struggles, with the capture of Mount Suribachi on February 23, 1945, marking a turning point after the first American flag raised on Japanese soil in the war was placed atop the mountain and a larger flag was later raised as the battle continued for another month with thousands more casualties. The bronze flag-raising sculpture is based on Joe Rosenthal’s historic photograph taken on Mount Suribachi on the fifth day of the battle, an image that became a symbol of patriotism, unity of purpose, and victory for Americans during World War II, while Joseph Petrovics created the sculpture from that photograph. The battle lasted from February 19, 1945, to March 16, 1945, and cost 6,824 Americans killed in battle and 21,865 American casualties, with 27 Congressional Medals of Honor awarded, more than to Marines and Navy personnel in any other battle in U.S. history. The history also honors Connecticut men killed in action at Iwo Jima, names the men involved in the first and larger flag raisings on Mount Suribachi, and preserves words of praise and remembrance from Chester Nimitz, David Douglas Duncan, Leon Uris, and Major General Graves B. Erskine.

PHOTOS

Photo: Michael Herrick