#Battle nations naval missions code

'Howlin' Mad' Smith was assigned as the commanding general of the expeditionary troops. Second in command of the Joint Expeditionary Force was Rear Admiral Harry W. Joint Expeditionary Force commander was Vice Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner. Spruance was the operation's overall commander.

#Battle nations naval missions code

To the Japanese leadership, the capture of Iwo Jima meant the battle for Okinawa, and the invasion of Japan itself, was not far off.Ĭommanders for the operation, code named Detachment, were assigned as follows: Nimitz, who said, 'Among the Americans who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue.' The fighting that took place during the 36-day assault would be immortalized in the words of Commander, Pacific Fleet/Commander in Chief, Pacific Ocean Areas Admiral Chester W. The seizure of Iwo Jima was deemed necessary, but the prize would not come easy.

The seizure of Iwo would allow for sea and air blockades, the ability to conduct intensive air bombardment and to destroy the enemy's air and naval capabilities. bases in the Mariana Islands, the capture of Iwo Jima would provide an emergency landing strip for crippled B-29s returning from bombing runs. Because of the distance between mainland Japan and U.S. Iwo Jima, which means Sulfur Island, was strategically important as an air base for fighter escorts supporting long-range bombing missions against mainland Japan.