Remember

     February 19th 1945, the invasion of Iwo Jima began with approximately 70,000
U.S. Marines taking part in the battle. The military planners expected that this
would be a brief campaign, but the fighting lasted for thirty-six days. In that time
6,821 Marines were killed and another 19,217 were wounded. The Japanese forces
had carved miles of tunnels and built bunkers above and below ground. Most of the
fighting to take these fortifications was close quarter combat that resulted in a
bloodbath. The event that probably gave the U.S. Marines hope and strength to
keep fighting took place on February 23rd. On that day after a long, hard fought
battle to reach the summit of Mount Suribachi, Corporal Harlon Block, Navy
Pharmacist’s Mate John Bradley, Corporal Rene Gagnon, Private First Class
Franklin Sousley, Sergeant Michael Strank and Corporal Ira Hayes raised a small
American flag, sadly Sgt. Strank, PFC Sousley and Cpl. Block were killed before
the fighting was over. A picture of this momentous event was taken by the
Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal and has become one of the most
iconic and reproduced images of World War II. The Battle for Iwo Jima was one of
the bloodiest battle in U.S. Marine Corps history and resulted in twenty-seven
Medals of Honor being awarded the most of any battle in U.S. history. May we
always Remember the valor of these brave men and never forget their sacrifice.