In addition, it was used by the Japanese to stage nuisance air attacks on the Mariana Islands from November 1944 through January 1945. One-third of the 19,000 who died during World War II perished on the island. The 36-day fight for Iwo Jima led Adm. Chester Nimitz to give the now-immortal praise, “Uncommon valor was a common virtue.” Here are six reasons why the battle is so important to Marines: 1. The Japanese built airstrips on Iwo Jima, which was unoccupied up to that point. Online Syndication. Iwo Jima (literally "Sulfur Island" in Japanese) is a Japanese island located strategically in the Pacific Ocean. Iwo Jima presented American forces with both a challenge and an opportunity. It represents the pride and the importance of standing by your country,” he said. No historical account of World War II would be complete without covering the Battle of Iwo Jima. Newswire > 6 reasons the Battle of Iwo Jima is so important to US Marines. At first glance, it seems similar to many other … Mobile. Iwo Jima is a small island, covering roughly 8 square kilometers. 6 reasons the Battle of Iwo Jima is so important to US Marines. No historical account of World War II would be complete without covering the Battle of Iwo Jima.At first glance, it seems similar to many other battles Revenue Strategies. Enter Iwo Jima. Iwo Jima was considered strategically important: it provided an air base for Japanese fighter planes to intercept long-range B-29 Superfortress bombers. At first glance, it seems similar to many other battles that happened late in the Pacific War: American troops fiercely fought their way through booby traps, Banzai charges and surprise attacks while stalwart dug-in Japanese defenders struggled against… "Iwo was one of the most costly and hardest to finally resolve," Staff Sgt. Lenhart said. Originally, American forces set their sites on the island of the Republic of Formosa (now Taiwan), but the distance was still too great for bombing runs. He says every battle during World War II was important, but Iwo Jima was one of the most significant. Audio And Video. The capture of Iwo Jima would eliminate these problems. Iwo Jima took an especially large toll on the Marines. The Iwo Jima Monument located in South Texas and the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington,Va., have symbolized American honor, courage and commitment for almost 70 years. The battle for Iwo Jima: why did it happen and why was it so hard fought? B&T Latest News; B&T Editorial; B&T Television; Featured; Resources; Tools And Technologies. Try 3 issues of BBC History Magazine or BBC History Revealed for only £5 The 1945 battle for Iwo Jima was bitter and brutal: few of the 20,000 Japanese defenders survived it, while the … 6 Reasons Why the Battle of Iwo Jima Is So Important to Marines military.com - By Blake Stilwell. “The monument means a lot more than the raising of a flag. No historical account of World War II would be complete without covering the Battle of Iwo Jima. The Battle of Iwo Jima took place in 1945 during the final months of World War II. Strategically important: it provided an air base for Japanese fighter planes to intercept long-range Superfortress., but Iwo Jima took place in 1945 during the final months of World War II perished on island. One of the most costly and hardest to finally resolve, '' Staff Sgt he said Resources ; and! Finally resolve, '' Staff Sgt which was unoccupied up to that point these problems B-29 Superfortress.. 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