| 24 June and 4 July |
U.S. Navy task force bombards the Volcano and Bonin Islands, including Iwo Jima |
| 3 October |
JCS directive orders occupation of one or morepositions in the Nanpo Shoto (Volcano- Bonin Islands) |
9 October |
Admiral Nimitz informs General Smith that Iwo Jima is to be the objective |
| November, December |
On several occasions, U.S. Navy surface ships bombard Iwo Jima |
| 8 December |
Beginning of 74 straight days of aerial bombings of islands in the Volcano and Bonin Islands, including Iwo Jima |
| 15-16 February |
V Amphibious Corps landing force departs the Marianas for Iwo Jima |
| 16 February |
Fast Carrier Task Force (TF 58) mounts air strikes against Honshu to distract Japanese attention from Iwo Jima. |
| 16-18 February |
Air and surface bombardment of Iwo Jima by Amphibious Support Force (TF 52) |
| 19 February |
The Fourth and Fifth Marine Divisions land on Iwo Jima, gaining a foothold. |
| 21 February |
The 21 st Marines (VAC Reserve) are committed in the Fourth Division zone. |
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Kamikaze aircraft assault the ships providing support off-shore |
| 23 February |
The 28 th Marines plant flag on Mt. Suribachi |
| 25 February |
The Third Marine Division (less the 21 st Marines) is committed to the battle. |
| 27 February |
Third Division takes Airfield no.2, Hills Peter and 199- OBOE |
| 2 March |
Fifth Division takes Hill 362A |
| 3 March |
Third Marine Division clears Airfield No. 3 |
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Fifth Marine Division captures Hill 362B |
| 4 March |
First B-29s land on Iwo Jima |
| 6 March |
15th Fighter Group, USAAF, arrives on Iwo Jima |
| 7 March |
Third Marine Division captures Hill 362C |
| 8 March |
Fourth Division repulses a Japanese night attack. |
| 9 March |
Third Division patrols reach northeast coast of Iwo Jima |
| 10 March |
Fourth Division breaks out to east coast, pinching out a Japanese salient |
| 11 March |
Last escort carriers depart, leaving Iwo Jima- based Army fighters responsible for air defense and ground support |
| 14 March |
U.S. Navy Military Government proclaimed in the Volcano Islands, marked by official flag raising |
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Marine units commence boarding for departure from Iwo Jima |
| 16 March |
Last Japanese resistance in the Third Division area, “Cushman’s Pocket” is crushed |
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Last opposition end in the Fourth Division area |
| 20 March |
U.S. Army 147 th Infantry Regiment arrives for garrison duty |
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Fifth Division crushes last pocket of organized resistance |
| 25 March |
Japanese survivors launch a final departure desperate early-morning attack against Marine and Army bivouac areas |
| 26 March |
The capture and occupation phase of the battle is declared complete at 0800 |
| 7 April |
In first flights of the U.S. land based fighter aircraft over Japan, 80 P-51’s from Iwo Jima escort B-29’s on bombing mission |
| 18 April |
The last U.S. Marines leave Iwo Jima |
