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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.

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14y ago

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