On this day in 1945 the Battle of Iwo Jima would come to an end. The battle cost 6,821 Marine and Navy deaths, 19,709 wounded, 137 destroyed tanks, 153 destroyed aircraft, 1 ship sunk, and 2 others heavily damaged, countless limbs lost, thousands of cases of shell shock, and 27 Medal of Honor actions later, on March 26th 1945 the Island of Iwo Jima was declared secure by the Navy & Marine Corps. This appalling cost was the first grim look at how tenaciously the Japanese would fight for their own soil, but the Marines, Sailors, Soldiers & Pilots made it happen, like they always have. Iwo Jima was the only battle in World War 2 to date where the American casualties outnumbered those of the enemy. Lest we forget. ⚓️ • After this, the 3rd, 4th and 5th Divisions would travel back to the Hawaiian islands of Oahu, Maui and Hawai’i to rest, refit, get replacements and get ready for Okinawa and the planned invasion of Mainland Japan; Operation Downfall. • #lestweforget #rememberthem #usmc #marines