Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Today in World War II History

65 Years Ago—March 16, 1945: US secures Iwo Jima. In the campaign, 5400 US and 20,000 Japanese troops were killed—and only 216 POWs taken. Air base opens on Iwo Jima for P-47 and P-51 fighter planes to escort B-29 bombers.

2 comments:

  1. YES! My Grampa was there that day!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh wow! My grandpa was in the Pacific, too, as a pharmacist's mate in the Navy (a medic). Half the men in his unit were sent to Iwo Jima, and half weren't. He was always glad to be in the "weren't" group - so am I - he was an amazing man.

    ReplyDelete