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World War II
Episode157

September 22, 2025

When Valor Became Common

When Valor Became Common
45:16
Listen on Apple Spotify

The battle's later weeks were a relentless grind through Iwo Jima's strongest defenses. Marines battered the "Meat Grinder" of Hill 382, Turkey Knob, and the Amphitheater, where progress was measured in yards and companies were reduced to fragments. Caves, reverse-slope positions, and night counterattacks forced constant, costly use of tank–infantry teams, flamethrowers, and demolitions. This episode will finish up our Iwo Jima series. We'll close with the sobering numbers, highlight the overlooked contributions of Montford Point Marines, and also examine the extraordinary sacrifice of Navy corpsmen.

References

  1. Alexander, J. H. (1994). Closing in: Marines in the seizure of Iwo Jima (World War II Commemorative Series, PCN 19000313100). History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.
  2. Bartley, W. S. (1954). Iwo Jima: Amphibious epic. Historical Branch, G-3 Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.
  3. Bradley, J., & Powers, R. (2000). Flags of our fathers. New York, NY: Bantam Books.
  4. Burrell, Robert S. The Ghosts of Iwo Jima. Texas A&M University Press, 2006.
  5. Gilbert, Oscar E. Marine Tank Battles in the Pacific. Da Capo Press, 2001.
  6. Heinl, R. D., Jr. (1968). History of the United States Marine Corps in World War II, Volume V: Victory and Occupation. Washington, D.C.: Historical Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.
  7. Nalty, B. C., & Crawford, D. J. (1995). The United States Marines on Iwo Jima: The battle and the flag raisings (PCN 19000316600). History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.
  8. Newcomb, R. F. (1965). Iwo Jima. New York, NY: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
  9. Smith, H. M., & Finch, P. (1949). Coral and Brass. New York, NY: Charles Scribner’s Sons.
  10. Smith, Larry. Iwo Jima: World War II Veterans Remember the Greatest Battle of the Pacific. W.W. Norton, 2008.
  11. Shaw, H. I., Jr., Nalty, B. C., & Turnbladh, E. T. (1970). History of U.S. Marine Corps operations in World War II: Volume IV, Western Pacific operations. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
  12. Wheeler, R. (1980). Iwo. New York, NY: Thomas Y. Crowell.

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