Battle of Iwo Jima

A company of American Marines is briefed during the Battle of Iwo Jima, 20 February 1945

The Battle of Iwo Jima (19 February – 26 March 1945) was a major battle in which the United States Marine Corps landed on and eventually captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) during World War II. The American invasion, designated Operation Detachment, had the goal of capturing the entire island, including the three Japanese-controlled airfields (including the South Field and the Central Field), to provide a staging area for attacks on the Japanese main islands. This five-week battle comprised some of the fiercest and bloodiest fighting of the Pacific War of World War II.

Japanese combat deaths numbered three times the number of American deaths although, uniquely among Pacific War Marine battles, American total casualties (dead and wounded) exceeded those of the Japanese. Wikipedia

Learn more about the Battle of Iwo Jima through historical newspapers from our archives. Explore newspaper articles, headlines, images, and other primary sources below.

Articles and Clippings about the Battle of Iwo Jima

Newspaper headlines: "Marines on Iwo Jima, Reach Airstrip; Resistance Furious" Mon, Feb 19, 1945 – Page 1 · The Decatur Daily Review (Decatur, Macon, Illinois) · Newspapers.com"Yanks Win Southern Airfield On Iwo Jima ... Marines Are Fighting Toughest Battle Of Their History" Tue, Feb 20, 1945 – 1 · The Lincoln Star (Lincoln, Lancaster, Nebraska, United States of America) · Newspapers.com"Invasion of Iwo Jima Brings U.S. Forces to Gates of Japan" Tue, Feb 20, 1945 – 3 · The Honolulu Advertiser (Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America) · Newspapers.comEditorial:"It is highly doubtful if anybody [...] was much surprised at [...] invasion of Iwo Jima" Tue, Feb 20, 1945 – 4 · The Journal Herald (Dayton, Ohio, United States of America) · Newspapers.comAustralian newspaper reports "Fury unabated on Iwo Jima; More costly battles necessary" Thu, Feb 22, 1945 – Page 1 · The Sydney Morning Herald (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia) · Newspapers.comFirst-hand account and reports of early days of Battle of Iwo Jima Thu, Feb 22, 1945 – Page 1 · The Sydney Morning Herald (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia) · Newspapers.com"Invasion Beach on Iwo Jima Is Scene of Indescribable Wreckage" Thu, Feb 22, 1945 – 3 · Quad-City Times (Davenport, Iowa, United States of America) · Newspapers.comEditorial: Purpose of Battle of Iwo Jima is to "conserve lives and shorten the course of the war" Sat, Feb 24, 1945 – Page 4 · Freeport Journal-Standard (Freeport, Stephenson, Illinois) · Newspapers.comFamous AP Wirephoto by Joe Rosenthal of raising the U.S. flag on Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima Mon, Feb 26, 1945 – Page 1 · The San Bernardino County Sun (San Bernardino, San Bernardino, California) · Newspapers.comPicture of Marines examining equipment wreckage on beach of Iwo Jima island Wed, Feb 28, 1945 – 4 · The Tampa Tribune (Tampa, Florida, United States of America) · Newspapers.comBattle of Iwo Jima "will be recorded as one of the most ferocious" battles in history Thu, Mar 1, 1945 – 8 · The Owensboro Messenger (Owensboro, Kentucky, United States of America) · Newspapers.comMail is delivered to Marines on Iwo Jima despite ongoing fighting Sun, Mar 4, 1945 – Page 11 · Palladium-Item (Richmond, Wayne, Indiana, United States of America) · Newspapers.comObituary for Marine who was killed in action during the Battle of Iwo Jima Wed, Mar 14, 1945 – Page 1 · The Tribune (Seymour, Jackson, Indiana, United States of America) · Newspapers.comEditorial: High casualties on Iwo Jima should make Americans feel a "sense of urgency to do more" Sat, Mar 17, 1945 – 4 · The Miami News (Miami, Florida, United States of America) · Newspapers.comBattle for Mount Suribachi is called the deciding factor in the U.S. victory on Iwo Jima Wed, Mar 21, 1945 – 9 · Austin American-Statesman (Austin, Texas, United States of America) · Newspapers.comAccount of Private James Bruce's experiences during the Battle of Iwo Jima Wed, Mar 21, 1945 – 7 · Honolulu Star-Bulletin (Honolulu, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America) · Newspapers.com"Whole blood" from donors save lives of Marines wounded during the Battle of Iwo Jima Tue, Mar 27, 1945 – Page 6 · Palladium-Item (Richmond, Wayne, Indiana, United States of America) · Newspapers.comLetter from Utah man stationed in the Pacific about the Battle of Iwo Jima Thu, Apr 19, 1945 – 1 · The Millard County Chronicle (Delta, Utah, United States of America) · Newspapers.comLetter describing 24 days of the Battle of Iwo Jima written by a Marine Fri, Apr 27, 1945 – Page 6 · Longview News-Journal (Longview, Gregg, Texas, United States of America) · Newspapers.comFamous aircraft carrier Saratoga is repaired after being damaged at the beginning of Iwo Jima Sat, Jun 16, 1945 – 3 · Public Opinion (Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, United States of America) · Newspapers.comPicture of “ducks” beached on Iwo Jima in the aftermath of the invasion landings Wed, Aug 15, 1945 – Page 4 · The Pantagraph (Bloomington, McLean, Illinois, United States of America) · Newspapers.comPhoto of foxholes where the press had their headquarters during the Battle of Iwo Jima Wed, Aug 15, 1945 – Page 4 · The Pantagraph (Bloomington, McLean, Illinois, United States of America) · Newspapers.com