On This Day March 26, 1945, the Battle of Iwo Jima came to an end as the island was declared secured by U.S. forces. This pivotal battle in the Pacific campaign of World War II saw over 22,000 Japanese troops and 4,500 U.S. Marines killed in some of the fiercest fighting of the war. The capture of Iwo Jima was a strategic necessity for the United States, as it provided a critical base for fighter aircraft and an emergency landing site for bombers.
The establishment of a U.S. Navy military government on Iwo Jima on March 26 represented the culmination of this hard-fought battle and the beginning of American control over the island. This victory demonstrated the Navy’s crucial role in combat operations as well as governance, contributing to the eventual Allied triumph in the Pacific.
The U.S. Navy’s involvement in Iwo Jima was part of its broader history, dating back to its reestablishment in the late 18th century. This decision was driven by the need to protect American merchant ships and assert the young nation’s presence on the high seas.
Over the decades, the U.S. Navy evolved into a formidable global force, playing a pivotal role in key battles like Iwo Jima during World War II. The Navy’s strategic importance in both combat and governance was instrumental in securing American interests and contributing to the Allied victory in the Pacific.
