U.S. Navy Department (March 17, 1945)
CINCPOA Communiqué No. 302
The Marines on Iwo continued mopping-up operations on March 17 (East Longitude Date). About noon a group of 150 of the enemy were observed attempting to organize in the northern part of the Island. They were dispersed by mortar fire. A few enemy troops attempted to “booby trap” installations in our rear areas.
Surface units of the Pacific Fleet bombarded Matsuwa Island in the Kurils on March 16. Our gunfire caused a large explosion and several large fires. Shore-based batteries of the enemy answered our fire but caused no damage to our ships.