| Iwo Jima is a volcanic island just over 700 miles from Tokyo. For the Americans, its capture would provide an emergency landing spot for aircraft returning from bombing runs over Japan. The campaign was brutal. The Japanese dug themselves into caves on Mount Suribachi and throughout the island. Twenty-seven Medals of Honor were awarded for heroism on Iwo Jima. On February 23, 1945, photographer Joe Rosenthal captured an image of Marines raising the flag on Mount Suribachi. |
