US Veterans Visit Jap Island 70 Years After Invasion
When the US launched an invasion of the Japanese Island, Iwo Jima, on 19 February 1945, it was heavily defended. It started one of the bloodiest battles in World War Two, according to BBC.
And this year was its 70th anniversary, to commemorate which dozens of veteran US marines gathered on the Pacific Island.
They went up to the volcanic peak of Mount Suribachi, where a photo of the marines putting up the flag was an iconic image of America's victory over Japan.
About 30 veterans were flown in from the U.S. island of Guam, and taken on a tour around the black sand beaches, where they had attacked the Japanese forces in early 1945. They were taken up to the top of Mount Suribachi, an active volcano, in which an Associated Press photo of the fluttering American flag during the battle became an important symbol of hope and courage to a battle weary public at home, which was getting disillusioned and losing hope due to the unending Pacific war. Many of the veterans came back with the emotions that it had raised, according to yahoonews.
"I hated them," said former Sgt. John Roy Coltrane, 93, of Siler City, North Carolina, to . "For 40 years, I wouldn't even buy anything made in Japan. But now I drive a Honda."
About 27 Medals of Honor have been given for those who were in the battle, which exceeded any other in US history. The only surviving Medal of Honor recipient from Iwo Jima, Hershel "Woody" Williams, 91, was also drawn to the island and the ceremony that was held there. He later said that his emotions and attitude towards the Japanese had not changed in all the years since the battle.
"They were just doing their jobs, just like we were," he said. "We tried to kill them before they could kill us. But that's war."
Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani spoke and asked everyone to recall the nearly 22,000 Japanese and 7,000 Americans who were killed during the war, according to https://www.voanews.com/content/united-states-japan-iwo-jima-anniversary/2689837.html
"We should not forget that the peace and prosperity that we in Japan and the U.S. currently enjoy is based on the sacrifice of those who perished," he said, pledging to work hard to further strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance.
