The last two islands captured in the Pacific in 1945, were also the bloodiest; Iwo Jima & Okinawa.
Gudalcanal, Midway, Iwo Jima, Okinawa,
Okinawa - Japan. Volcanic 'strip' island in the Pacific Ocean - on the outer edge of the Pacific 'Ring of Fire'. The island is the first Japanese home island of considerable size when approaching West in the Pacific. After World War II the Japanese went to great lengths to rename, remove, and change locations - events names where defeated in War. Okinawa was the first step for the U.S. Military in to Mainland Japan, keeping with the 'Island Hopping' Strategy. In the first 36 hours some 5,000 US casualties mounted. 12,000 Japanese civilians leaped to their death fearing capture by U.S. Military or being killed by Japanese Soldiers with orders for no retreat - no surrender. The fighting on Okinawa was so intense and costly moving to the Atomic Bomb became an option. With 10,000 dead U.S. military from the 96th Infantry alone politicians to Generals felt taking Japan by conventional force would cost some 100,000 US lives. The Japanese defenders fought harder on Okinawa, as it was their home soil. Would you fight harder to protect Mexico or say your home State? So, Okinawa is Japanese territory, named Okinawa.
The US was getting closer & closer to Japan in regaining control of the Japanese advances in the Pacific. Okinawa was the final action of the US before the decision was made to use the atomic bomb. This was because an invasion of the Japanese mainland would have been hugely expensive in American soldiers lives.
US won the "Battle of Okinawa". which lasted from April-June in 1945
Iwo Jima and Okinawa were captured in early 1945.
Iwo Jima and Okinawa
Okinawa never attacked the USA, Japan attacked US posessions in the Pacific aswell as the Aleutian islands.
On April 1st, 1945, the last major invasion in the pacific for the US was the battle for Okinawa
The last two islands captured in the Pacific in 1945, were also the bloodiest; Iwo Jima & Okinawa.
Gudalcanal, Midway, Iwo Jima, Okinawa,
Iwo Jima and Okinawa both fit this description.
there was an airfield on Okinawa. Possession of the airfield gave US aircraft a safe landing area in the event of aircraft damage incurred over Japan during bombing runs
is there a military cemetery in okinawa
Okinawa was the sight of a major Pacific battle where the Japanese fought against the US and it's Allies . Look to the related link below for further information regarding the battle and it's significance to WW2 .
Okinawa - Japan. Volcanic 'strip' island in the Pacific Ocean - on the outer edge of the Pacific 'Ring of Fire'. The island is the first Japanese home island of considerable size when approaching West in the Pacific. After World War II the Japanese went to great lengths to rename, remove, and change locations - events names where defeated in War. Okinawa was the first step for the U.S. Military in to Mainland Japan, keeping with the 'Island Hopping' Strategy. In the first 36 hours some 5,000 US casualties mounted. 12,000 Japanese civilians leaped to their death fearing capture by U.S. Military or being killed by Japanese Soldiers with orders for no retreat - no surrender. The fighting on Okinawa was so intense and costly moving to the Atomic Bomb became an option. With 10,000 dead U.S. military from the 96th Infantry alone politicians to Generals felt taking Japan by conventional force would cost some 100,000 US lives. The Japanese defenders fought harder on Okinawa, as it was their home soil. Would you fight harder to protect Mexico or say your home State? So, Okinawa is Japanese territory, named Okinawa.
The US was getting closer & closer to Japan in regaining control of the Japanese advances in the Pacific. Okinawa was the final action of the US before the decision was made to use the atomic bomb. This was because an invasion of the Japanese mainland would have been hugely expensive in American soldiers lives.