Political Quotes

“Today marks an important anniversary for all of us who served in the Marine Corps and for freedom-loving Americans everywhere. On this date 50 years ago, the largest force of U.S. marines ever assembled prepared to embark on the most savage and most costly battle in the history of the Marine Corps. Nearly 100,000 troops, American and Japanese, were ready to fight to the death on the most heavily fortified island in the world, 8 square miles of volcanic ash and rock known as Iwo Jima. Since the turn of the century, marines had pioneered and developed the capability for seizing advanced naval bases. The payoff for those many years of planning and training was seen in the successive, hard-fought victories in the amphibious landings throughout the Pacific in places like Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Tarawa, and New Britain, and on Saipan, Guam, Tinian, and Peleliu. But now in February 1945 marine forces were approaching within 1,000 miles of the Japanese homeland for the first time and would face a determined, fanatically brave enemy who had constructed the most elaborate and ingenious system of underground fortifications ever devised. Despite thorough allied planning and preparation and all the naval and air support available, it was ultimately the marine on the beach with the rifle who eventually won this critical battle for America. Mr. President, one out of every three marines who set foot on Iwo Jima was killed or wounded, so great was the price of victory.”