Remembering the Battle of Iwo Jima From February to March 1945, three U.S. Marine divisions launched a fierce assault against the heavily defended Japanese-occupied island of Iwo Jima. For 36 grueling days, the battled raged, marked by vicious combat where every inch gained came at an immense cost. By the battle's end, nearly 7,000 American service members had given their lives, and almost 20,000 more were wounded in the struggle for victory. We honor all those who served and sacrificed during t