19 February 1945 - Battle of Iwo Jima On this day in 1945, U.S. Marines landed on Iwo Jima following a terrific naval bombardment. The first wave of Marines had more trouble with the terrain than enemy fire, but the Japanese responded quickly from their dug-in positions and swept the beaches with concentrated fire. Iwo Jima would be a very tough fight. The Museum was blessed to have Iwo Jima Marine Frank Matthews as a docent at the Museum for many years. He would share with visitors what it was

The Battle of Iwo Jima started 72 years ago today. Remember Iwo Jima, one of the bloodiest battles in U.S. history, with this rare footage. | U.S. Marine Corps

Battle of Iwo Jima (Part 2): Medal of Honor recipient Woody Williams recalls landing on Iwo Jima and running from impact crater to impact crater as his unit made its way across their first objective on the island. "Our job was to take the first airfield, secure it, and then keep going North," he said. "There was no protection on the airfield. All we had were some shell craters . . . " #IwoJima #MedalOfHonor #USMC | U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs