Iwo Jima - Site of Famous World War II Battle

Iwo Jima is in the Pacific Ocean between the Northern Marianas Islands and Japan, and it was the site of one of the most horrific battles of World War II in 1945. This 35-day battle began on February 19, and on day five of the American invasion of the island, six U.S. soldiers raised the American flag atop Mt. Suribachi, the tallest point on Iwo Jima. A famous photo of this action was used as the model for the Marine War Memorial in Washington, DC.

I visited Iwo Jima from the wonderful luxury cruise ship the Regent Seven Seas Voyager. We had a commemoration ceremony, and it was quite moving for all of us.

Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima Photo (c) Linda Garrison