Answering The Internet’s Biggest Questions About Iwo Jima

by Maria Coffey

There are a lot of questions out there about the iconic Battle of Iwo Jima.

It gave rise to an incredible photo of the American flag that has been etched into the history books and we decided to go to the sources and answer all of the questions here all on one page!

When did the Battle of Iwo Jima take place?

The battle began on February 19, 1945, and ended on March 26, 1945—a grueling 36‑day campaign. 

Among the men who fought was Gunnery Sergeant William Barnes. A dedicated Marine from Philadelphia who served with distinction in World War II.

He was assigned to the 5th Marine Division’s Reconnaissance Battalion and arrived at Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945. Barnes fought alongside his comrades as they advanced toward Mount Suribachi. On February 23, 1945, during the critical operations that included the historic flag-raising, he was fatally injured, likely by shell fire, and died aboard a transport vessel. His remains were never recovered, but he and thousands of others will forever be celebrated for their service!

Who won the Battle of Iwo Jima?

The U.S. forces secured a hard-fought victory. After prolonged and intense fighting against entrenched Japanese defenders, American Marines and supporting units captured the island. 

Where is Iwo Jima located, and where was the battle fought?

Iwo Jima is a small, volcanic island in the Pacific situated between the Mariana Islands and Japan. The battle was fought on this island—with much of the action centered around its ash‑covered beaches and the towering, extinct volcano Mount Suribachi. 

What is Iwo Jima, and what happened during the battle?

Iwo Jima is a strategically critical volcanic island approximately 4 2⁄3 miles by 2 1⁄2 miles in size. During the battle, U.S. forces launched an amphibious invasion against the advantaged Japanese garrison that had prepared extensive underground defenses. The fighting was fierce and close-quarters—with iconic events like the flag-raising on Mount Suribachi which became an iconic moment for the war and American morale. 

Why did the Battle of Iwo Jima happen?

The battle was part of a broader U.S. strategy in World War II to secure a critical air base in the central Pacific. Capturing Iwo Jima’s airfields was vital for providing fighter escorts for B-29 bomber raids on Japan, as well as for establishing an emergency landing site for damaged bombers. 

At the same time, Japanese defenders aimed to inflict such heavy casualties that it might deter further American advances toward the Japanese home islands.

 

Why was Iwo Jima important?

Strategically, the island provided a forward base that was key to air operations against Japan. Symbolically, Iwo Jima came to represent American pride and perseverance with the flag-raising on Mount Suribachi. The moment was caught by Joe Rosenthal’s photograph, which became a lasting emblem for the U.S..

 

What were the casualties of the Battle of Iwo Jima?

Unfortunately, the battle incurred heavy losses. American casualties totaled over 26,000—with around 6,800 killed (or slightly over 6,000 in some accounts)—while Japanese losses were staggering, with nearly 18,500 of approximately 21,000 defenders killed.
 

Note: Some figures vary slightly among sources, but all indicate a costly engagement.

How long did the Battle of Iwo Jima last?

The fighting spanned 36 days, from February 19 to March 26, 1945.

 

How big is Iwo Jima?

The island measures roughly 4 2⁄3 miles by 2 1⁄2 miles.

 

Who raised the flag on Iwo Jima?

On February 23, 1945, Marines initially raised a small American flag atop Mount Suribachi. Later that day, a second, larger flag was raised. That was the moment captured in photographs that are famous today. Joe Rosenthal was the photographer and it was also caught on film by Marine Sergeant William Homer Genaust. 

Later research has identified the six flag raisers as Corporal Harlon Block, Private First Class Rene Gagnon, Private First Class Ira Hayes, Private First Class Harold Schultz, Private First Class Franklin Sousley, and Sergeant Michael Strank.

 

Who fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima?

The battle was fought between U.S. forces—primarily Marines (with units such as the 28th Marine Regiment, the 5th Marine Division, and others) supported by Navy corpsmen—and a Japanese garrison of roughly 20,000 to 21,000 troops, many of whom were conscripted.

 

Who owns Iwo Jima?

Today, Iwo Jima is owned and controlled by Japan. Since it was returned from U.S. control in 1968, the island has been managed by the Japan Self-Defense Forces—with the Japan Maritime, Air, and Ground Self-Defense Forces operating military facilities there—while only limited U.S. military activities occur under a status of forces agreement.

 

Who is Don Graves in relation to Iwo Jima?

Don Graves is a Marine veteran who served at Iwo Jima during World War II.

In his firsthand account, he describes himself as the only flame thrower in his Second Battalion to survive the battle—a unit in which only 18 out of 335 Marines made it through. His recollections detail the brutal conditions from landing on the beach on February 19th to the grueling, inch-by-inch advance up Mount Suribachi, where he witnessed key moments like the flag raising (Don Graves Account, 06-08-2018 • Fort Worth, TX).

Can you visit Iwo Jima?

The island is uninhabited today. Therefore, visiting it is only possible through tours and special access that is difficult to get.

Where are the Iwo Jima memorial and statue located?

The iconic flag-raising photograph inspired the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial (often referred to as the Iwo Jima memorial).

What are some verified facts about the Battle of Iwo Jima?

Some facts about the battle of Iwo Jima are included below:

1. The battle was fought from February 19 to March 26, 1945, lasting 36 days.
2. Iwo Jima is a small volcanic island in the Pacific, roughly 4 2⁄3 by 2 1⁄2 miles in size, featuring ash‑covered beaches and the prominent Mount Suribachi.
3. The U.S. invasion—code-named Operation Detachment—aimed to capture the island’s airfields to support B-29 bomber raids on Japan and to provide an emergency landing site for damaged aircraft.
4. The battle involved brutal, close-quarters combat against deeply entrenched Japanese forces, resulting in heavy casualties: over 26,000 American casualties (with approximately 6,800 dead) and nearly 18,500 Japanese fatalities.
5. The flag-raising on Mount Suribachi on February 23, 1945—immortalized by Joe Rosenthal’s photograph and documented by Marine Sergeant William Homer Genaust’s film—became one of the most iconic images of World War II and a lasting symbol of American heroism. 

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