Uncommon Valor on Iwo Jima

When the smoke cleared on Iwo Jima in March 1945, 19,000 American Marines had been wounded and 7,000 were dead. Lasting over a month, Iwo was the Marines' bloodiest battle of the war. It was also the most highly decorated engagement in Marine Corps history. This account details the battle, focusing on the 27 Americans who earned the Medal of Honor.

---

When the smoke cleared on Iwo Jima in March 1945, 19,000 American Marines had been wounded and 7,000 were dead, a casualty rate of nearly 39 percent. Lasting over a month, Iwo was the Marines' bloodiest battle of the war and the only Pacific battle in which a U.S. landing force suffered more casualties than it inflicted. It was also the most highly decorated single engagement in Marine Corps history.