Transcriber’s note: Table of Contents added by Transcriber and placed into the public domain. Boldface text is indicated by =equals signs=. Contents Closing In: Marines in the Seizure of Iwo Jima Assault Preparations Sidebar: The Japanese Commander D-Day Sidebar: The Assault Commanders at Iwo Jima Suribachi Sidebar: Rosenthal’s Photograph of Iwo Jima Flag-Raising Quickly Became One of the War’s Most Famous The Drive North Sidebar: The Japanese 320mm Spigot Mortar Sidebar: Marine Corps Air Support During Iwo Jima The Bitter End Sidebar: The Marines’ Zippo Tanks Sidebar: Iwo’s Fire Brigades: The Rocket Detachments Sidebar: Amphibious Logistical Support at Iwo Jima Iwo Jima’s Costs, Gains, and Legacies Sidebar: Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Sidebar: Assault Divisions’ Command Structures Sources About the Author About the Series Transcriber’s Notes CLOSING IN: MARINES IN THE SEIZURE OF IWO JIMA MARINES IN WORLD WAR II COMMEMORATIVE SERIES BY COLONEL JOSEPH H. ALEXANDER U.S. MARINE CORPS (RET) [Illustration: _Marines of Company E, 2d Battalion, 28th Marines, lower the first flag raised over Mount Suribachi, while other men raise a second flag which became the subject of Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal’s world-famous photograph._ Department of Defense Photo (USMC) 112718.] [Illustration: _A Marine flamethrower operator moves forward to assault a Japanese pillbox on Motoyama Airfield._ Department of Defense Photo (USMC) 111006.] Closing In: Marines in the Seizure of Iwo Jima _by Colonel Joseph H. Alexander, USMC (Ret)_ Sunday, 4 March 1945, marked the end of the second week of the U.S. invasion of Iwo Jima. By this point the assault elements of the 3d, 4th, and 5th Marine Divisions were exhausted, their combat efficiency reduced to dangerously low levels. The thrilling sight of the American flag being raised by the 28th Marines on Mount Suribachi had occurred 10 days earlier, a lifetime on “Sulphur Island.” The landing forces of the V Amphibious Corps (VAC) had already sustained 13,000 casualties, including 3,000 dead. The “front lines” were a jagged serration across Iwo’s fat northern half, still in the middle of the main Japanese defenses. Ahead the going seemed all uphill against a well-disciplined, rarely visible enemy. In the center of the island, the 3d Marine Division units had been up most of the night repelling a small but determined Japanese counterattack which had found the seam between the 21st and 9th Marines. Vicious close combat had cost both sides heavy casualties. The counterattack spoiled the division’s preparations for a morning advance. Both regiments made marginal gains against very stiff opposition.