Iwo Jima (redirected from Iwo To)

Iwo Jima (ē`wō jē`mə, ē`wô), Jap. Io-jima, volcanic island, c.8 sq mi (21 sq km), W Pacific, largest and most important of the Volcano Islands. Mt. Suribachi, 546 ft (166 m) high, on the south side of the island, is an extinct volcano. The main industries are sulfur mining and sugar refining. During World War II, the island, site of a Japanese air base, was taken (Feb.–Mar., 1945), at great cost to U.S. and Japanese forces. A photograph of U.S. marines raising the flag over Mt. Suribachi, which they called Meatgrinder Hill, is one of the most famous images of the war. Iwo Jima was occupied by the U.S. until 1968, when it was returned to Japan.

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Iwo Jima

U.S. Marines raising the American flag over Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima, in February 1945.

(credit: Joe Rosenthal/AP)

Island, the middle of the three Volcano Islands, Japan. Situated in the western Pacific, it is about 5 mi (8 km) long, 800 yards to 2.5 mi (730 m–4 km) wide, and has an area of 8 sq mi (20 sq km). It was under Japanese control until 1945, when it was the scene of one of the severest campaigns of World War II. After extensive bombing by U.S. planes (December 1944–February 1945), it was invaded by U.S. marines and was finally completely taken by mid-March; it became a strategic base for U.S. planes en route to Japan. In 1968 it was returned to Japan.

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Iwo Jima

inspiring American triumph in the Pacific (1945). [Am. Hist.: Leonard, 472–480]

See : Battle