In the bloodiest  battle in Marine Corps history, 27 Marines and sailors were awarded the Medal of Honor for action on Iwo Jima. No other campaign surpassed that number.

In the bloodiest  battle in Marine Corps history, 27 Marines and sailors were awarded the Medal of Honor for action on Iwo Jima. No other campaign surpassed that number.
 

In the bloodiest battle in Marine Corps history, 27 Marines and sailors were awarded the Medal of Honor for action on Iwo Jima. No other campaign surpassed that number.

In the bloodiest  battle in Marine Corps history, 27 Marines and sailors were awarded the Medal of Honor for action on Iwo Jima. No other campaign surpassed that number.

In the bloodiest battle in Marine Corps history, 27 Marines and sailors were awarded the Medal of Honor for action on Iwo Jima. No other campaign surpassed that number.

The first B-29s over Tokyo were pathfinders. Coming in over the target from opposite directions, the pathfinders dropped their payload, which immediately burst into flames. The pathfinder's job now done, they retreated from the area, the target now brightly illuminated in the shape of an enormous fiery “X”.

"Here there are no quotas of how many from each group are admitted or allowed. Among these men there is no discrimination. No prejudice. No hatred. Theirs is the highest and purest democracy."

The Power of Memory and Changing Views of History

Jack Lucas saved the lives of three men… just six days after his 17th birthday.

Woody Williams, a veteran of several campaigns with the 3rd Marine Division, landed on Iwo Jima in the days after D-Day. On February 23, 1945, Woody acted with "conspicuous gallantry" in eliminating Japanese pillboxes on Iwo Jima with his flame thrower. For his actions that day, Woody was awarded the Medal of Honor.

James Goodrich was a veteran of two campaigns when he landed on Iwo Jima in 1945 with the 5th Marine Division.

Retired Marine Corps Colonel Dave Severance recalls how his company, E Company 28th Marines, patrolled up Mount Suribachi, and how members of his company raised the American flag atop Suribachi on February 23, 1945.