Iwo Jima: Feb. 19, 1945; Coast Guard Reserves: 72nd Birthday;USAF Pararescue: "Inside Combat Rescue"

"Uncommon Valor Was A Common Virtue." Admiral Nimitz

The Battle of Iwo Jima Feb. 19, 1945

Most people are familiar with the iconic photo of the raising of the American flag at Iwo Jima. But there are some other significant and interesting facts you might now know about the battle.

• Iwo Jima was one of the fiercest battles of WWII.
• The battle was the first U.S. attack on Japanese home islands.
• The battle accounted for 1/3 of Medal of Honor awards for U.S. Marines in all of WWII.
• The battle was the costliest battle in U.S. Marine Corps history. Over 6000 Marines died on Iwo Jima. Total American casualties were 26000 (estimates prior to the battle predicted there would be 15,000).
• 19000 Japanese soldiers were killed.
• The Japanese had about 11 miles of tunnels on the island.

• Navajo code talkers played a significant role in winning the Battle of Iwo Jima.
• Within the next month of fighting, three of the Marines who helped raised the flag died
• The island was returned to the Japanese in 1968.
• Iwo Jima Mt. Suribachi today (below)

Iwo Jima Memorial, Wikipedia

Coast Guard Reserve Celebrates 72 Years Of Service

The Coast Guard Reserve was born on February 19, 1941. Today, 8,000 men and women serve in the Coast Guard Reserve in maritime security including homeland security, national defense, and responding to natural and man-made disasters.


Pararescuemen (PJ's) To Be Chronicled On TV: "Inside Combat Rescue."

"These Things We Do; That Others May Live," Pararescue motto

This week, National Geographic television began highlighting the United States Air Force's pararescuemen, a elite combat rescue team. The show airs on Mondays at 10 p.m.