[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 53 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 53
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.
_______________________________________________________________________
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 \1/4\ 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
Resolved, 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.
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