119 SRES 53 IS: Recognizing the 80th anniversary of the amphibious landing on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima during World War II and the raisings of the flag of the United States on Mount Suribachi.
U.S. Senate
2025-02-04
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III
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 53
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 4, 2025
Mr. Young (for himself, Mr. Warner, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Coons, Mr. Boozman, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Gallego, Mr. Cruz, Mr. Kaine, Ms. Ernst, Mr. King, Mr. Scott of Florida, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Tillis, Ms. Rosen, Mr. Reed, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Banks, and Ms. Warren) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the 80th anniversary of the amphibious landing on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima during World War II and the raisings of the flag of the United States on Mount Suribachi.
Whereas, following the surprise attack by Japanese forces on December 7, 1941, at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the United States formally declared war on the Imperial Government of Japan on December 8, 1941;
Whereas, during the 4 years that followed the attack, the United States and Allied forces fought a prolonged counterattack against Japanese advances across the Pacific region;
Whereas the tactic of attacking, defeating, and controlling Japanese-held outposts through the use of amphibious assault landings against Japanese-held islands and territories (referred to in this preamble as “island hopping”) became crucial to successfully countering Japanese advances throughout the Pacific region;
Whereas the goal of island hopping was to secure airfields and supply bases—
(1)
in order to progressively extend the sea control of the United States Navy westward across the Pacific Ocean towards Japan;
(2)
in order to launch aerial bombardment attacks against the mainland of Japan using the new Boeing B–29 Superfortress; and
(3)
in preparation for, and in anticipation of, a United States invasion of Japan;
Whereas, by early 1945, the United States and Allied forces bravely fought and advanced to the island of Iwo Jima, an 8-square mile island of volcanic rock and sand with 3 strategic airfields, located between the Mariana Islands and Japan;
Whereas Iwo Jima was—
(1)
a strategic island with airfields to support the bombers of the United States with fighter escorts; and
(2)
an essential base for emergency, refueling, and diversionary landings for B–29 bombers;
Whereas, under the command of Japanese Lieutenant General Tadamichi Kuribayashi, Iwo Jima was a heavily fortified island with nearly 11 miles of underground and networked tunnels, rooms, bunkers, artillery emplacements, ammunition dumps, and pillboxes supporting more than 21,000 Japanese soldiers;
Whereas, on February 19, 1945, under the leadership of United States Navy 5th Fleet Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, United States Marine Corps V Amphibious Corps Major General Harry Schmidt, 3rd Marine Division Major General Graves B. Erskine, 4th Marine Division Major General Clifton B. Cates, and 5th Marine Division Major General Keller E. Rockey, the United States launched an amphibious landing and assault on Iwo Jima (referred to in this preamble as the “Battle of Iwo Jima”) that culminated with the engagement of more than 70,000 members of the United States Marine Corps, supported by thousands of members of the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, and the United States Army serving as assault, garrison, and support forces;
Whereas the members of the United States Marine Corps who fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima overcame numerous disadvantages in the 36-day battle that included treacherous terrain, unfavorable weather conditions, and heavy enemy fire from an entrenched, determined, and fierce Japanese fighting force in places immortalized by members of the United States Marine Corps, including the “Meat Grinder” and “Bloody Gorge”;
Whereas, on February 23, 1945, only 5 days into the Battle of Iwo Jima, members of the United States Marine Corps ascended the highest point on the island, Mount Suribachi, and raised the flag of the United States 2 times, the second of which resulted in the iconic, Pulitzer Prize-winning image that—
(1)
was captured on film by photographer Joe Rosenthal;
(2)
has become a recognized symbol of determination, perseverance, and struggle;
(3)
has been memorialized as the United States Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia;
(4)
immortalized the fighting spirit of the United States Marine Corps and the heroism of the 6 Marine flag raisers portrayed; and
(5)
has continued to inspire the people of the United States to fight in support of our Nation’s interests and in support of our allies, even against formidable odds;
Whereas Secretary of the Navy, Hon. James Forrestal, who was observing the battle from the sea aboard a landing craft, remarked to Lieutenant General Holland M. Smith that, “the raising of that flag on Suribachi means a Marine Corps for the next 500 years.”;
Whereas the Battle of Iwo Jima, one of the bloodiest battles in the history of the United States Marine Corps, resulted in more than 26,000 casualties for the United States, more than 6,800 of whom were killed;
Whereas the Battle of Iwo Jima led to 22 members of the United States Marine Corps and 5 members of the United States Navy receiving the Medal of Honor, representing—
(1)
the most members of the United States Marine Corps ever to receive the highest military decoration in the United States for a single battle; and
(2)
more than ¼ of all members of the United States Marine Corps to receive the decoration during World War II;
Whereas the secured airfields on Iwo Jima became emergency landing locations for 2,251 B–29 Bombers, saving the lives of an estimated 24,761 crewmen;
Whereas 160 days after the end and victory of the pivotal Battle of Iwo Jima the United States received the unconditional surrender of Japan on September 2, 1945;
Whereas the world owes a debt of gratitude to the members of the United States Marine Corps who selflessly led the fight for the strategic island of Iwo Jima in the middle of the Pacific theater; and
Whereas the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima will be marked by commemorative events on the island of Iwo Jima, in Washington, DC, and internationally, organized by the people of the United States and Japan: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate—
(1)
recognizes the 80th anniversary of the amphibious landing on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima that began on February 19, 1945, and ended on March 26, 1945;
(2)
commemorates the iconic and historic raisings of the flag of the United States on Mount Suribachi that occurred on February 23, 1945;
(3)
honors the Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, Army Air Crew, and Coast Guardsmen who fought bravely on Iwo Jima, including the thousands of Japanese soldiers who tenaciously defended the island;
(4)
remembers and venerates the service members who gave their last full measure of devotion on the battlefield;
(5)
recognizes the Allied victory at the Battle of Iwo Jima, which—
(A)
was led by the United States Marine Corps; and
(B)
made the defeat of the Empire of Japan in World War II possible;
(6)
affirms the immortal words of Admiral Chester Nimitz, who stated that “uncommon valor was a common virtue” among the service members of the United States who fought on Iwo Jima;
(7)
reaffirms the bonds of friendship and shared values between the United States and Japan, whose strong and resilient alliance demonstrates the power of reconciliation between former adversaries;
(8)
encourages the people of the United States to honor the veterans of the Battle of Iwo Jima with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities;
(9)
honors the service and sacrifice of the men and women who serve the United States today, carrying on the proud tradition of the individuals who came before them; and
(10)
salutes the 250th year since the founding of the United States Marine Corps and the United States Navy.