“It’s those men, the ones who died protecting me, who really deserve the honor.” – Cpl. Hershel “Woody” Williams Last living Battle of Iwo Jima Medal of Honor recipient | U.S. Marine Corps

On Feb. 19, 1945, two U.S. Marine Corps divisions, soon reinforced by a third, stormed ashore Iwo Jima. Navy and Coast Guard vessels braved recurrent kamikaze attacks to land and sustain them. Fighting was savage as the Marines picked their way forward position by position. Grenades, demolitions and flamethrowers proved as important as bombardment and direct fire weapons in close quarters fighting. The treeless volcanic island provided little cover and poor traction, and was difficult to dig int