U.S. Navy Department (February 19, 1945)
CINCPOA Communiqué No. 264
United States Marines supported by heavy units of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and by shore-based and carrier aircraft have landed on Iwo Island in the Volcano Islands.
The landings were made by the Fifth Amphibious Corps which includes the Fourth and Fifth Marine Divisions after heavy bombardment by battleships, cruisers and lighter units of the Pacific Fleet and sustained bombing by substantial forces of Navy carrier aircraft and also by Army bombers of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, which is under the command of Lt. Gen. M. F. Harmon, USA.
VADM Richmond Kelly Turner, U.S. Navy, Commander Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, is in overall command of the Amphibious Forces involved in the operation.
Expeditionary troops are under the command of Lt. Gen. Holland M. Smith, USMC, Commanding General Fleet Marine Force Pacific. Maj. Gen. Harry Schmidt, USMC, is Commanding General of the Fifth Amphibious Corps. The Fourth Marine Division is under command of Maj. Gen. Clifton B. Cates, USMC, and the Fifth Marine Division under the command of Maj. Gen. Keller E. Rockey, USMC.
The naval forces which prepared the island for invasion with heavy bombardment included the following old battleships: USS NEW YORK (BB-34), USS TEXAS (BB-35), USS NEVADA (BB-36), USS ARKANSAS (BB-33), USS IDAHO (BB-42) and USS TENNESSEE (BB-43).
More than 800 United States ships are involved in the operation. The carrier forces and amphibious forces are under the command of ADM R. A. Spruance, Commander, Fifth Fleet.
CINCPOA Communiqué No. 265
The Marines who landed on Iwo Island in the Volcanos have established a beachhead along the southeast shoreline extending from the volcano at the southern tip of the island 4,500 yards northward. The operation is proceeding satisfactorily.
The landing was made at 0900 today (East Longitude Date) against resistance which was light initially. Sporadic artillery and mortar fire encountered in the early hours on the beaches increased markedly after the drive inland began. Our casualties are moderate.
By 1000 penetrations from the beaches were generally about 500 yards in depth and at that time advance units of the attackers had reached the southern end of the southern airfield and had penetrated airfield defense east of the airstrip.
The troops went ashore after intense bombardment by heavy units of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and heavy bombing by carrier air groups.
Two light units of the supporting fleet task force suffered some damage during the pre‑landing attack.
A message has been sent to the units concerned as follows:
The Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Ocean Areas, joins the Commander Fifth Fleet and Commander First Carrier Task Force in appreciation of the assistant and cooperation provided by the XXI Bomber Command, the Submarines Pacific, and Fleet Air Wing One in connection with the carrier attack on Tokyo.