Mt. Suribachi
Posted by: 
DiveBum
N 24° 45.038 E 141° 17.349
54R E 529236 N 2737367
Marines from the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Divisions landed on Iwo Jima and entered one of the deadliest battlefields in the history of warfare. Mt. Suribachi is the site where the iconic photo of the flag raising was taken by Joe Rosenthal.
Waymark Code: WM1B5F
Location: Japan
Date Posted: 03/22/2007
Views: 43
On the top of Mt. Suribachi is a monument dedicated to the flag raising.
On February 19, 1945, after 70 days of heavy naval bombardment, thousands of U.S. Marines from the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Divisions landed on the volcanic black sand beaches of Iwo Jima and entered one of the deadliest battlefields in the history of warfare.
There were heavy casualties on the landing beaches, but the Americans fought on and took Mt. Suribachi on the fourth day of fighting.
When the fighting was finally over, on 26 March 1945, U.S. forces had suffered more than 26,000 American casualties, including 6,800 dead. (6000 of them Marines). Of the 20,000 Japanese defenders, only 1,083 survived. The Marines' efforts, however, provided a vital link in the U.S. chain of bomber bases. By war's end, 2,400 B-29 bombers carrying 27,000 crewman made unscheduled landings on the island.
Twenty-seven Medals of Honor were awarded to Marines and sailors, many posthumously, during this battle, which is the most that were ever awarded during a single operation, in any theater, in World War II.
"The battle of Iwo Island has been won. The United States Marines by their individual and collective courage have conquered a base which is as necessary to us in our continuing forward movement toward final victory as it was vital to the enemy in staving off ultimate defeat. By their victory, the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions and other units of the Fifth Amphibious Corps have made an accounting to their country which only history will be able to value fully. Among the Americans who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue." Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, US Navy, the Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Ocean Areas
For those that use MGRS here is a bonus point of interest, the actual spot of the flag raising. 54R WN 29232 37367
Property Permission: Public
Access instructions: Military tours or via the Military
Commemoration: The flag raising on Mt. Suribachi
Date of Dedication: Not listed
Access times: Not listed
Website for Waymark: Not listed
Location of waymark: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Include a photo containing, at minimum, the monument and your GPSr. We'd prefer a photo containing YOU at the monument, but we understand that some people are camera-shy.
Also include a bit about your visit here.