Japan, U.S. mark anniversary of battle for Iwo Jima
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Japanese and U.S. flags were carried in during a memorial service jointly held by Japan and the United States to mark the anniversary of one of World War II's bloodiest and most symbolic battles on the remote island of Iwo Jima, which is now officially called Ioto in Japan, 700 miles south of Tokyo, Wednesday.
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A memorial service was jointly held by Japan and the United States to mark the anniversary of one of World War II's bloodiest and most symbolic battles on the remote island of Iwo Jima, which is now officially called Ioto in Japan, 700 miles south of Tokyo, Wednesday.
TOKYO » Japan and the U.S. are marking the 68th anniversary one of the most iconic battles of World War II on the tiny island of Iwo Jima.
Representatives of the Japanese soldiers who died, government officials and a handful of U.S. veterans gathered Wednesday (Tuesday in Hawaii) on the island to remember the battle that began on Feb. 19, 1945, and officially ended when the volcanic crag was declared secure by the U.S. on March 26, 1945.
The fighting claimed 6,821 American and 21,570 Japanese lives. About 12,000 Japanese and 218 Americans are still classified as missing in action.
The island, 700 miles south of Tokyo, is now uninhabited except for a small Japanese military outpost. It is now known in Japan as Ioto.
