Correcting the story of Iwo Jima : tragedy and triumph in the Pacific war

Abstract

My work on the Battle of Iwo Jima, a contest which occurred between with United States and Japan between February 19 and March 26, 1945, constitutes a groundbreaking revision to previous narratives.1 These five publications on the topic, published between 2004 and 2007, are based on extensive research conducted from 1999 through 2005 in the United States, particularly in the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force and National archives. The following paper briefly describes the historiography and established narrative of the battle from 1945 through 2003, prior to my research. It then proceeds to outline the major arguments my scholarship established concerning strategic aspects of the battle, as well as the fundamental importance of Iwo Jima’s legacy to the Marine Corps. Finally, this paper highlights how my work was initially received in academic circles and then how the current historical consensus has solidified following my publications