Senate Resolution No. 2775

BY: Senator TEDISCO

COMMEMORATING the 75th Anniversary of the American
invasion of Iwo Jima on February 19, 2020

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend events which evoke the historical, social and cultural
development of this great State, and pay tribute to the memory of
individuals of remarkable courage and strength of character, whose
purposeful lives embodied the spirit of the principles upon which this
Nation was founded; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the American invasion of Iwo Jima at
an event on Wednesday, February 19, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Towards the end of World War II, 30,000 US Marines and
several thousand Navy Seabees landed on the small Japanese island of Iwo
Jima on February 19, 1945, marking the turning point of the war in the
Pacific Theater; and

WHEREAS, The American invasion, designated Operation Detachment, had
the goal of capturing the entire island, including the three
Japanese-controlled airfields to provide a staging area for attacks on
the Japanese main islands; and

WHEREAS, The American ground forces were supported by extensive
naval artillery, which included the USS New York, and had complete air
supremacy provided by US Navy and Marine Corps aviators throughout the
battle; and

WHEREAS, Five days into the battle, United States forces secured
Mount Suribachi, and in a show of pride, six men from E Company, 2nd
Battalion, 28th Marines: Corporal Harlon Block, Corporal Rene Gagnon,
Private First Class Franklin Sousley, Sergeant Michael Strank, Corporal
Ira Hayes, and Navy Pharmacist's Mate John Bradley raised a large
American flag on top of the mountain; and

WHEREAS, This triumphant moment was captured for all of posterity by
Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal, and shortly thereafter,
became an iconic image of the battle and the American effort in the
Pacific; later, a statue was made of the picture, and became the US
Marine Corps Memorial which is located just outside Washington, DC; and

WHEREAS, The 36-day battle was marked by some of the fiercest
fighting of the War; by the time the American forces had secured Iwo
Jima from the Imperial Japanese Army on March 27, 1945, the United
States suffered 25,000 casualties; approximately 6,800 Marines and Navy
personnel were killed, and another 18,000 were wounded; and

WHEREAS, Upon the completion of World War II, 27 meritorious Marines
were awarded the Medal of Honor, more than any other battle in United
States history; and

WHEREAS, As our State and Nation observes this 75th Anniversary, we
reflect with solemn reverence upon the valor of a generation that served
with honor, and pay tribute to the more than four million servicemen who
left their families to serve bravely, a world away from everything they
knew and everyone they loved; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the United States Marine Corps and
Navy's invasion of Iwo Jima on February 19, 2020; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the regional living veterans of the Battle of Iwo Jima.