Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith and Joseph Young, charge d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy Tokyo in Iwo Jima, Japan take part in a solemn ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the battle of Iwo Jima. Photo by Bill Gertz / The Washington Times
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith and Joseph Young, charge d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy Tokyo in Iwo Jima, Japan take part in a solemn ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the battle of Iwo Jima. …
IWO JIMA, Japan – A handful of retired Marines — all in the late 90s or over 100 — joined Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Japan’s Prime Minister Takeru Ishida on Saturday to mark the anniversary of one of the bloodiest battles of World War II in the Pacific that ended 80 years ago this week.
Over 80,000 U.S. and Japanese troops waged a fierce 36-day battle that ended March 26, 1945, on this volcanic Pacific Ocean outcrop located several hundred miles west of Japan.
“More than 26,000 died here,” Mr. Hegseth said in a speech to some 100 dignitaries including members of Congress, members of the Japanese Diet and several U.S. and Japanese generals.
“Today, we revere their courage. Today, we remember their valor and sacrifice.”
Mr. Hegseth said now the two former enemies are close allies and confronting new dangers such as the People’s Republic of China, which is expanding its power and influence aggressively throughout the region.
“Our alliance has been — and remains — the cornerstone of freedom, prosperity, security and peace in the Indo-Pacific,” Mr. Hegseth said.
PHOTOS: Hegseth joins veterans, generals to mark 80th anniversary of battle of Iwo Jima
Mr. Ishida said in his remarks that he is “overwhelmed with sorrow” when recalling the fierce fighting and staggering loss of life in the decades-old battle.
“We must never forget that the peace and prosperity were built upon the invaluable sacrifices of those who fell in battle,” he said.
The U.S.-Japan alliance “is stronger than ever,” Mr. Ishida said, and the cornerstone for peace and prosperity in the region.
During a tour of the island, Mr. Hegseth and a group of Marines and other American soldiers visited Mount Suribachi. It was on this ancient volcano on Feb. 23, 1945, that four Marines scaled the mountain and planted an American flag in what would become an iconic image.
The flag-raising was later turned into a statue that now marks the Marine Corps memorial in Arlington.
Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith said during his remarks that the thousands of Marines who died on Iwo Jima fought for ideals that transcended any individual cause, including duty, resilience and country.
“These same values shared between the U.S. and Japan and our veterans who fought here form the foundation of the alliance we honor today,” Gen. Smith said.
“The United States and Japan came here today not in conflict, but in friendship. We’re allies; we’re partners.”
Washington and Tokyo share a common vision of the global security environment to maintain peace and shared prosperity, the four-star general said. And now U.S. and Japanese forces are strong and postured to confront regional threats.
In an indirect reference to China, Gen. Smith said allied forces can deter those that seek to undermine peace and stability and can allow nations in the region to shape their own destiny, free from threats and coercion.
“The veterans who have returned here today stand as a living testament to that truth,” Gen. Smith said. “For the fallen, American and Japanese, you’re not forgotten…The next time we shed our blood, we will be fighting together, not against one another.”
Mr. Hegseth, in his remarks, said the Marines who took part in the battle and the Japanese soldiers who fought them were motivated by “faith and belief” in their countries.
Now, in the face of mounting regional dangers posed by China, Mr. Hegseth said the United States and Japan commit to faith and belief in the U.S.-Japan alliance.
“Iwo Jima embodies our shared warrior ethos; our shared devotion to nation and duty; our shared reverence for the men of valor who preceded us,” he said.
The island is strategically located between the Marianas Islands and Japan’s main islands.
The huge loss of life and casualties here were ordered by U.S. commanders who needed the island as an airbase for B-29 bombers that war planners wanted to use for strikes on Japan.
It was regarded as a key stepping stone for U.S. forces in the Pacific on the way to defeating Japan’s Imperial army.
Mr. Hegseth noted that the Japanese commander during the battle, Gen. Kuribayashi Tadamichi, prepared Japan’s troops for eight months, building defenses above and below ground.
One of those who spoke was Shindo Yositaka, Kuribayashi’s grandson, who is also a Japanese legislator.
For the Marines, Iwo Jima is among the most hallowed of battles in American military lore, one that saw tough fighting, an advanc against the enemy that came one costly yard at a time and a victory that in many cases came down to hand-to-hand combat.
“They prevailed because each Marine did his duty. Each Marine gave his all. Each Marine refused to give up,” Mr. Hegseth said, noting that twenty-two Americans won the Medal of Honor as a result of heroic fighting.
Mr. Hegseth said those assembled were proud to bear witness to the bravery, courage and sacrifice during the battle of Iwo Jima.
“Their memory reminds us of the horrors — and the costs — of war,” he said. “If they could serve so selflessly — so can we. If they could summon the courage to face a fearsome foe — so can we.”
The defense secretary traveled the island, wrapping up a week-long visit to Asia, his first since taking office.
• Bill Gertz can be reached at bgertz@washingtontimes.com.
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