Iwo Jima means “Sulfur Island”, and the small volcanic island became the closest thing to hell for the thousands of soldiers who fought and died there. The struggle for the territory would prove one of America’s bloodiest battles in World War II in the Pacific.
6,821 Americans were killed with nearly 20,000 wounded against over 18,000 Japanese soldiers killed or missing in the nearly two month long battle. Only 216 Japanese soldiers surrendered.
The Battle for Iwo Jima is etched into the minds of Americans due to an iconic photo of six American marines raising the American flag on Mt. Suribachi – in fact, the second raising of a banner on the hill during the battle.
The photo shows six marines Michael Strank, Harlon Block, Franklin Sousley, Harold Schultz, Harold Keller, and Ira Hayes. Only the last three men would survive.
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