The Battle of Iwo Jima was a pivotal conflict during World War II, fought between the United States Marine Corps and the Imperial Japanese Army from February 19 to March 26, 1945. This island, located roughly halfway between the Mariana Islands and Japan, was crucial for the U.S. as it provided a base for long-range bombers to attack Japan directly. The operation involved a significant initial bombardment by naval and aerial forces, but the Japanese defenders had heavily fortified positions, resulting in staggering casualties on both sides. Despite this, American forces managed to land on the island and began the lengthy process of securing it. The struggle to take the island included fierce combat conditions characterized by cave-to-cave fighting, requiring soldiers to advance with extraordinary valor. The battle was notable for the iconic image of five Marines and a Navy corpsman raising the American flag atop Mount Suribachi, which became one of the most recognized symbols of American patriotism during the war. By the end of the battle, the U.S. had suffered 26,000 casualties, with 6,800 killed, while Japanese casualties were nearly complete; only about 1,000 troops were captured. The successful capture of Iwo Jima greatly aided subsequent military operations in the Pacific theater.