Battle of Iwo Jima Timeline

In March 1944, the Japanese 31st Army, commanded by General Hideyoshi Obata, was activated to garrison Japan's inner line of defense. The Japanese had been preparing for the defense of Iwo Jima since this time, which gave them a significant advantage by the time of the American invasion.

Under General Kuribayashi's direction, the Japanese dug an extensive tunnel network across Iwo Jima. By the time the Americans invaded on February 19, 1945, 18 km (11 mi) of a planned 27 km (17 mi) of tunnels had been completed, connecting bunkers, artillery positions, and supply depots.

In June 1944, Lieutenant General Tadamichi Kuribayashi was assigned to command the defense of Iwo Jima. He would abandon the standard strategy of defending at the beaches, instead opting for a defense in depth built around tunnels, bunkers, and fortified positions.

Image source: Tadamichi Kuribayashi

From November 1944 to January 1945, the Japanese used Iwo Jima to stage intermittent air attacks on the Mariana Islands, where American B-29 bases threatened the Japanese home islands. These raids underscored the strategic importance of capturing the island.

On February 19, 1945, United States Marines landed on Iwo Jima, beginning one of the fiercest battles of World War II. Unlike earlier Pacific battles such as Saipan in June 1944, where the Japanese had defended at the water's edge, Kuribayashi's forces fought from fortified inland positions, unleashing devastating fire on the beaches.

Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal captured his iconic photograph of six Marines raising the U.S. flag atop Mount Suribachi on February 23, 1945 — the second of two flag-raisings on the site that day. The image became one of the most famous photographs in American history.

Image source: Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima

On the morning of February 23, 1945, Marines raised the first American flag atop Mount Suribachi after days of brutal fighting to capture the volcanic peak. A larger second flag was raised later that day so it could be seen more widely across the island.

As early as March 4, 1945, while fighting was still taking place on Iwo Jima, the B-29 Dinah Might of the USAAF 9th Bomb Group reported it was low on fuel near the island and requested an emergency landing. This demonstrated the island's immediate value as an emergency airfield for B-29 operations.

The Battle of Iwo Jima ended on March 26, 1945, after 36 days of ferocious combat. According to the Navy Department Library, the assault resulted in more than 26,000 American casualties, including 6,800 dead — a staggering toll compared even to the much larger 82-day Battle of Okinawa.

As early as April 1945, retired Chief of Naval Operations William V. Pratt questioned whether the enormous cost of capturing Iwo Jima justified its value, reflecting a debate within American leadership over the price paid for the small volcanic island.

Image source: William V. Pratt

Three subsequent Marine Corps investigations into the identities of the six men in Rosenthal's photograph determined: in 1946 and 1947, that Harlon Block was incorrectly identified as Henry Hansen (both were killed six days after the photo); in May and June 2016, that John Bradley was not in the photograph and Private First Class Harold Schultz was; and in 2019, that Rene Gagnon was not in the photograph and Private First Class Harold Keller was.

Rosenthal's iconic flag-raising image was used by Felix de Weldon to sculpt the Marine Corps War Memorial, which was dedicated on November 10, 1954, adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery. It honors all Marines who have given their lives in service of the United States since 1775.

Image source: Marine Corps War Memorial

The United States Navy has honored the battle by commissioning two ships bearing its name: USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2), which served from 1961 to 1993, and USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), commissioned in 2001 and serving to the present day.

Image source: USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2)

The first large-scale reunion of battle veterans on the island was held in 1970 on the 25th anniversary of the battle, allowing American and later Japanese veterans to return to the site of some of the fiercest fighting of World War II.

On February 19, 1985, the 40th anniversary of the landings on Iwo Jima, an event called the 'Reunion of Honor' was held, bringing together American and Japanese veterans in reconciliation. The event has been held annually since 2002.

A memorial service marking the 50th anniversary of the battle was held in front of the monument on Iwo Jima in February 1995, honoring those who fought and died on both sides during the 36-day battle.