Luck can be attributed to a well-conceived plan carried out by a well-trained and indoctrinated task group.

No other island received as much preliminary pounding as did Iwo Jima.

Among the men who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue.

If you're not making waves, you're not under weigh.

God grant me the courage not to give up what I think is right even though I think it is hopeless.

Hindsight is notably cleverer than foresight.

A ship is always referred to as 'she' because it costs so much to keep one in paint and powder.

The Japanese had, in fact, already sued for peace. The atomic bomb played no decisive part, from a purely military point of view, in the defeat of Japan.

By their victory, the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions and other units of the Fifth Amphibious Corps have made an accounting to their country which only history will be able to value fully. Among the Americans who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue.

I felt that it was an unnecessary loss of civilian life... We had them beaten. They hadn't enough food, they couldn't do anything.