Background
Eighty years ago, the Battle of Iwo Jima began on February 19, 1945, lasting 36 days and 35 nights ending on March 26, 1945. According to U.S. Naval accounts, wounded exceeded 19,000, including more than 5,900 Marines and Sailors killed in action and who died of wounds.
The military mission to seize Iwo Jima was important as it served as a base for U.S. military aircraft to launch and land to accomplish strategic military tasks. U.S. military aircraft were able to land on the island instead of ditching into the Pacific Ocean saving the lives of approximately 24,000 U.S. servicemembers.
Veterans who fought in the battle are listed on this page below. NCA invites you to remember these Veterans and visit those with memorial pages to celebrate the legacy, military service and sacrifice to our nation of these heroes of our nation. You can post tributes (comments), upload images, and share biographical information, historical documents and more.
Veteran of Iwo Jima with Medallion
Those killed in action were originally interred at three cemeteries on the island of Iwo Jima until their remains were repatriated to the United States. The remains of Private Leon Doel Gordon, a Veteran of the Battle of Iwo Jima, were repatriated to Inkster Cemetery, a private cemetery in North Dakota.
One way to obtain a Veterans Legacy Memorial page is to apply for a Medallion to affix to a privately purchased headstone or marker. View Private Gordon's memorial page to see an example of a Medallion.
If an application is submitted on behalf of a servicemember and they are found eligible for a Medallion, a memorial page on the Veterans Legacy Memorial will be automatically created.
Learn more and apply for a Medallion »
