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Air Force Touches Down
The U.S. Army Air Forces’ 15th Fighter Group arrives on Iwo Jima. Five days later the last escort carriers depart Iwo waters, leaving close air support of ground operations to the Air Force fighters. -
The Battle is Over
The Battle is declared complete. Casualties in the five-week battle were extremely high—about 5,000 Marines killed and 20,000 others wounded. -
Navy bombards Iwo Jima
U.S. Navy warships and aircrafts bombard (attack with bombs and missiles) Iwo Jima. The Navy agreed to three days, but was limited to two because of foul weather. -
Marines come Ashore
The Marines’ first wave—68 tracked landing vehicles climb ashore. The first LVTs carrying troops land three minutes later. By the end of the day, 30,000 Leathernecks of the 4th and 5th Marine Divisions are ashore. 40,000 more Marines would join them. -
Raising the Flag
AP photographer Joseph Rosenthal captures the moment when a large U.S. flag is raised over Suribachi. The picture goes down in history. -
Blood Battle
In one of the bloodiest attacks of the battle, the 26th Marines seize Hill 362-B at the cost of 500 casualties. The action produced five Medals of Honor. -
Breaking the Coast
Elements of the 4th Division break through to the east coast, pinching off a Japanese salient around the “Amphitheater” and “Turkey Knob.” -
Crushing the Resistance
The last pockets of Japanese resistance in the 3d and 4th Divisions’ sectors are reduced. -
147th Fights Them Off
The U.S. Army’s 147th Infantry Regiment arrives for garrison duty but for weeks will find itself fighting off attacks by Japanese holdouts.