The Fourth and Fifth Marines, commanded by Lieutenant General Holland M. Smith, USMC, landed on Iwo Jima on February 19. Despite the 14,000 tons of shells fired on it by the U.S. Navy, the island was won by the blood of the thousands of Marines. The men attacked the massive interconnected underground defenses with flame throwers, bazookas, demolition charges, and grenades. Smith stated, “Iwo Jima was the most savage and costly battle in the history of the Marine Corps.” The island was secured on March 16.
MILITARY HISTORY SOCIETY OF ROCHESTER
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