Remembering the Battle of Okinawa On April 1, 1945, American forces launched an amphibious assault on Okinawa. The battle that followed was one of the most intense and costly in the Pacific Theater during World War II. For over 80 days, U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines fought a fierce Japanese resistance through torrential rains, unforgiving terrain and relentless enemy attacks. American forces persevered, securing the island by late June. Over 12,000 service members gave their lives

As the deadly Battle in Okinawa raged on, a growing number of U.S. troops went down with what the military calls "non-battle injuries" and what troops termed the "Thousand-Yard Stare." 🎥The Pacific War in Color | Smithsonian Channel Aviation Nation

As U.S. Marines advanced northward in Okinawa, they approached a craggy mass known as Mount Yae-Take. The battle to capture this remote mountain resulted in numerous casualties on both sides. 🎥Battle of Okinawa in Color | Smithsonian Channel Aviation Nation