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BATTLE // Feb–Mar 1945

Iwo Jima

Volcano Islands · 24.751, 141.286

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Overview

The Battle of Iwo Jima was a major battle in which the United States Marine Corps (USMC), United States Navy (USN), and United States Army (USA) landed on and eventually captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) during World War II. The American invasion, designated Operation Detachment, had the goal of capturing the island with its two airfields: South Field and Central Field.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

Airfield and symbolic cost intensified endgame debate

Result

U.S. victory

Forces & casualties

Troop strength

  • United States110,000
    medium
  • Japan20,933
    medium

United States fielded a 5.3 : 1 numerical advantage

Casualties

  • United States6,821
    medium6% loss rate
  • Japan17,845–18,375
    medium87% loss rate

Commanders (8)

Japan

United States

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Related

6 sibling battles · 6 factions

Last verified May 2026
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