Echoes of History: The Cost of Iwo Jima

Late March often brings contrasting weather, but the severe cost of past conflicts remains a constant reminder. The Battle of Iwo Jima, which began on February 19, 1945, involved a fierce Marine-led assault on the Japanese-held volcanic island, crucial for its two strategic airfields.

U.S. Army radar operator Frank Mirabella unexpectedly found himself in the first wave after his ship was struck by a kamikaze. He described the initial shock of silence upon landing, followed by sinking into the foul volcanic sands. The greatest surprise awaited near Mt. Suribachi: thousands of hidden enemy troops entrenched in caves and pillboxes.

The Human Price of Victory

The fighting was horrific, with survivors recalling that approximately one Marine was killed for every yard gained. One veteran described the intensity: “It was terrible, the worst I can remember us taking.” The iconic photograph by Joe Rosenthal of Marines raising the flag on Mt. Suribachi followed this immense sacrifice.

Few realize the staggering cost: 24,000 Americans were wounded or killed during the capture of Iwo Jima. The 5th Marine Division required 22 transport ships to storm the island but only eight were needed to bring the survivors home, highlighting the devastating casualty rate among the initial landing force.

Modern Conflict Parallels: Iran and Kharg Island

These historical sacrifices are relevant today when considering reports of the Trump administration's plans for a potential war of choice in Iran. Specifically, there is consideration for sending thousands of U.S. troops into ground combat, potentially targeting Kharg Island, Iran's massive oil storage and export hub.

Kharg Island, while lacking quicksand, possesses vital oil infrastructure that defenders are prepared to fight to the death to protect, much like the Japanese defended Iwo Jima. Forces being weighed for deployment include amphibious landing specialists, Marines aboard the USS Tripoli, and units from the elite 82nd Airborne Division.

Defenses Mirroring Past Battles

Experts note that the Iranian military has established layered defenses on Kharg Island strikingly similar to those faced at Iwo Jima. These defenses include shoulder-fired, surface-to-air guided missile systems (MANPADs) and anti-personnel and antiarmor mines placed around potential U.S. landing beaches.

One analyst warned that Iranians are “clever and ruthless” and will aim to inflict maximum casualties once U.S. ground troops enter sovereign territory. Such an operation could lead to American casualties in the thousands.

Economic and Political Fallout

Beyond the human toll, seizing Kharg Island or the Strait of Hormuz shoreline could take weeks, potentially driving crude oil prices as high as $200 a barrel. This economic shockwave could trigger a global recession and raise U.S. gas prices to around $7 a gallon.

Public sentiment appears strongly against such an escalation. Approximately six in ten voters oppose sending ground troops into Iran, a sentiment shared by nearly half of Republicans. Deploying these forces crosses a psychological point of no return that the public seems unprepared for.

Historical Ignorance and the Call for Opposition

The current situation highlights a willful ignorance of military history, not just Iwo Jima, but also Vietnam. In Vietnam, U.S. troop levels escalated from a handful of advisors to nearly 500,000 soldiers, often with shifting objectives and broken promises of an end to the conflict.

The use of American ground troops in Iran must be opposed as a potential calamity. Opponents should consider urging Congress to invoke the War Powers Resolution, inspired by the Vietnam experience, to cut off funding for what could become an illegal war.

Frank Mirabella felt fortunate to survive Iwo Jima, reflecting that “those 22,000 did not have a bullet with my name on it.” The article concludes with a sobering thought: in 2026, many Americans might not be so lucky on Kharg Island if history is ignored.