A Great Generation Indeed

raise

On this very day sixty years ago, American soldiers raised the flag on or near Mt. Suribachi. It was raised after five days of fighting, but nearly a month of gruesome battle remained before the Island could be taken.

Powerline has a good memorial:

Marines bore the brunt of the battle for Iwo Jima. Nearly 20,000 Marines were wounded and nearly 7,000 were killed taking the island so it could be used as an emergency landing base for B-29s bombing Japan. The Medal of Honor was awarded to 27 men -- more than in any other battle. Chris Vaughn's Fort Worth Star-Telegram article from this past weekend has a good summary of the battle: "Remembering heroes, agony of Iwo Jima." Brian Melley's AP story on the initial flag raising on Iwo Jima tells a story with which I was unfamiliar: "Veteran wants recognition for role at flag raising."

Powerline also mentions the book Flags of our Fathers, which I haven't read, but I hear is a must read.