Invasion of Iwo Jima, Japan

16 February to 7 March 1945

1st of 2

 

Departing Ulithi Islands, 10 February and after two days of gunnery in the Saipan -Tinian area TEXAS, along with Task Force 54, arrived off the southwest coast of Iwo Jima,16 February. (ARKANSAS and NEW YORK are also present)

Photo below of TEXAS off the southwest coast of Iwo Jima.  Though the ship was painted measure 21 about seven weeks prior, the blue has already faded.

Measure 21 - dark blue

 

Immediately upon arrival, TEXAS began 3 days of preliminary shelling the southwestern area of the island. The red area  was her initial fire support area (per historic map in BB35 archives). 

D-Day, 19 February, TEXAS was supporting the landings on the western side of the island. She continued firing 14-inch and 5-inch shells until the 21st. 

On the 23rd, Marines raised the American flag atop Mt Suribachi. The flag was visible aboard BB35.

Though Iwo Jima was not secured until 14 March (with mopping up until 26 March), TEXAS departed for Ulithi Isl, on 7 March, to prepare for her final combat, the invasion of Okinawa, Japan.
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