The Pacific

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Photos from the Pacific Theater of World War II, 1941–1945

With the premiere of the ten-part HBO miniseries The Pacific, produced by Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and Gary Goetzman, World War II came again into the living rooms of American families. The Pacific, the follow-up to Band of Brothers, focused on the US Marines in the Pacific Theater of the war.

The following collection of 110 photos, published on a Denver Post Photo Blog, focuses on The Pacific War — a term referring to parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, the islands of the Pacific and the Far East. The start of The Pacific War is generally considered to be the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941. The Pacific War pitted the Allies against the Empire of Japan and culminated with the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, Victory over Japan Day on August 15, 1945, and the official surrender of Japan aboard the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945.

Small boat rescues USS West Virginia crew member at Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941 — December 7, 1941: A small boat rescues a USS West Virginia crew member from the water after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. (AP Photo)

Japanese photograph shows American ships clustered at Pearl Harbor before attack — December 7, 1941: This picture, taken by a Japanese photographer, shows how American ships are clustered together before the surprise Japanese aerial attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Sunday morning, Dec. 7, 1941. Minutes later the full impact of the assault was felt and Pearl Harbor became a flaming target. (AP Photo)

Sailors watch USS Shaw explode at Ford Island Naval Air Station, Pearl Harbor — December 7, 1941: Sailors stand among wrecked airplanes at Ford Island Naval Air Station as they watch the explosion of the USS Shaw in the background, during the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. (AP Photo)

USS Arizona belches smoke as it sinks during Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor — December 7, 1941: The battleship USS Arizona belches smoke as it topples over into the sea during a Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The ship sank with more than 80 percent of its 1,500-man crew. The attack, which left 2,343 Americans dead and 916 missing, broke the backbone of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. President Franklin D. Roosevelt announced it was “a date which will live in infamy” and Congress declared war on Japan the morning after. (AP Photo)

Car riddled by Japanese bomb shrapnel eight miles from Pearl Harbor — December 7, 1941: Eight miles from Pearl Harbor, shrapnel from a Japanese bomb riddled this car and killed three civilians in the attack. Two of the victims can be seen in the front seat. The Navy reported there was no nearby military objective. (AP Photo/U.S. Navy)

Destroyers USS Cassin and USS Downes heavily damaged at Pearl Harbor — December 7, 1941: Heavy damage is seen on the destroyers USS Cassin and the USS Downes, stationed at Pearl Harbor after the Japanese attack on the Hawaiian island. (AP Photo/U.S. Navy)

Wreckage of Japanese torpedo plane salvaged from Pearl Harbor — Wreckage, identified by the U.S. Navy as a Japanese torpedo plane, was salvaged from the bottom of Pearl Harbor following the surprise attack Dec. 7, 1941. (AP Photo)

Shattered wreckage of American planes on Hickam Field after Pearl Harbor attack — The shattered wreckage of American planes bombed by the Japanese in their attack on Pearl Harbor is strewn on Hickam Field, Dec. 7, 1941. (AP Photo)

B-25 Mitchell bomber takes off from USS Hornet for Doolittle Raid on Tokyo 1942 — April 18, 1942: A B-25 Mitchell bomber takes off from the USS Hornet’s flight deck for the initial air raid on Tokyo, Japan. President Roosevelt had answered a reporter’s question by saying the raid came from a base called “Shangri-La” in playful allusion to the secret bomber base. (AP Photo)

USS Lexington explodes in Battle of the Coral Sea June 1942 — June 1942: The USS Lexington, U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, explodes after being bombed by Japanese planes in the Battle of the Coral Sea in the South Pacific during World War II. (AP Photo)

USS Yorktown throws up anti-aircraft fire at Battle of Midway June 4 1942 — June 4, 1942: The U.S. aircraft carrier Yorktown, left, and the other fighting ships of a United States task force in the Pacific, throw up an umbrella of anti-aircraft fire to beat off a squadron of Japanese torpedo planes attacking the carrier during the Battle of Midway. (AP Photo)

Australian transport sunk by Japanese bombers near Port Moresby August 1942 — August 3, 1942: After hammering Port Moresby for two days, Japanese bombers finally sank this Australian transport, which sends up a cloud of smoke. She drifted onto a reef and heeled over. Flaming oil can be seen at left. The men in a small boat, foreground, are looking for victims. (AP Photo)

Japanese twin-engine bomber shot down near Tulagi in Solomon Islands August 1942 — Aug. 7, 1942: Members of the crew of a U.S. destroyer get a good look at a Japanese twin-motored bomber shot down by U.S. aircraft near Tulagi in the first day of fighting for possession of the southern Solomon Islands. One member of the crew of the plane clings to the starboard wing. (AP Photo/US Navy)

US Marines pause on beach of Guadalcanal before advancing inland August 1942 — Aug. 29, 1942: After landing in force, U.S. Marines pause on the beach of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands before advancing inland against the Japanese during World War II. (AP Photo)

US Marines approach Japanese-occupied Guadalcanal August 1942 — Aug. 1942: U.S. Marines approach the Japanese-occupied Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands during World War II. (AP Photo)

US Marines charge ashore on Guadalcanal from landing barge August 1942 — Aug. 1942: U.S. Marines, with full battle kits, charge ashore on Guadalcanal Island from a landing barge during the early phase of the U.S. offensive in the Solomon Islands during World War II. (AP Photo)

Crewmen on sloping flight deck of USS Yorktown after Battle of Midway June 1942 — June 1942: Crewmen picking their way along the sloping flight deck of the aircraft carrier Yorktown as the ship listed, head for damaged sections to see if they can patch up the crippled ship. Later, they had to abandon the carrier and two strikes from a Japanese submarine’s torpedoes sent the ship to the sea floor after the Battle of Midway. (AP Photo/U.S. Navy)

US Marines man a 75mm gun on Guadalcanal Island October 1942 — Oct. 29, 1942: U.S. Marines man a .75MM gun on Guadalcanal Island in the Solomon Islands during World War II. (AP Photo)

Six US Navy scout planes in flight above carrier October 1942 — October 16, 1942: Six U.S. Navy scout planes are seen in flight above their carrier. (AP Photo)

General MacArthur inspects Allied positions in New Guinea jungle November 1942 — Nov. 3, 1942: Pushing through New Guinea jungles in a jeep, General Douglas MacArthur inspects the positions and movements of Allied Forces, who would push the Japanese away from Port Moresby and back over the Owen Stanley Mountain range. (AP Photo)

US Army Air Force A-29 planes on alert in Alaska with Mt. McKinley in background November 1942 — November 5, 1942: With the towering 20,300-feet peak of Mt. McKinley as a backdrop, a formation of U.S. Army Air Force A-29 planes drone along on alert in defense of Alaska during World War II. (AP Photo)

Two US Marines stand beside tank on Guadalcanal November 1942 — Nov. 4, 1942: Two alert U.S. Marines stand beside their small tank on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands during World War II. The military tank was used against the Japanese in the battle of the Tenaru River during the early stages of fighting. (AP Photo)

American and Filipino soldiers surrender to Japanese on Corregidor Philippines May 1942 — May 1942: After defending the island for nearly a month, American and Filipino soldiers surrender to Japanese invasion troops on Corregidor island, Philippines. This photograph was captured from the Japanese during Japan’s three-year occupation. (AP Photo)

Bodies of three American soldiers on beach at Buna New Guinea January 1943 — January 1943: The bodies of three American soldiers, fallen in the battle for Buna and Gona, lie on the beach of the island in the Papua New Guinea region during World War II. (AP Photo)

B-24 Liberator on bombing run over Salamau New Guinea January 1943 — January 1943: While on a bombing run over Salamau, New Guinea, before its capture by Allied forces, Sgt. John A. Boiteau aboard an Army Liberator photographed a B-24 Liberator during World War II. Bomb bursts can be seen below in lower left and a ship at upper right along the beach. (AP Photo/U.S. Army Air Force)

American jeep on trail through Guadalcanal jungle February 1943 — February 2, 1943: An American jeep proceeds along a trail through the jungle on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands during World War II. (AP Photo)

US infantryman on guard on Grassy Knoll Guadalcanal January 1943 — Jan. 26, 1943: An infantryman is on guard on Grassy Knoll in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands during World War II. (AP Photo)

American soldiers fire into Japanese dugout at Buna New Guinea January 1943 — January 1943: Two American soldiers of the 32nd Division cautiously fire into a Japanese dugout before entering it for inspection during a drive on Buna, which resulted in a defeat of Japanese forces in the Papua peninsula of New Guinea during World War II. (AP Photo/U.S. Army Signal Corps)

Native stretcher bearers rest with wounded American soldiers from Buna New Guinea January 1943 — Jan. 21, 1943: Native stretcher bearers rest in the shade of a coconut grove as they and the wounded American soldiers they are carrying from the front lines at Buna, New Guinea take the opportunity to relax. The wounded are on their way to makeshift hospitals in the rear. (AP Photo)

Australian soldiers advance through coconut grove and kunai grass in New Guinea February 1943 — Feb. 1943: Soldiers of the Australian forces advance through a coconut grove and kunai grass in Japanese-occupied New Guinea during World War II. The smoke is from mortar fire during the fierce fighting in the final assault which took Buna, the Japanese stronghold. (AP Photo)

Technical Sgt. Greenwood in Grumman Wildcat credited with 19 Japanese aircraft at Henderson Field March 1943 — March 22, 1943: Technical Sgt. R.W. Greenwood, a Marine, sits in the cockpit of a Grumman Wildcat fighter plane, based at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, that is credited with shooting down 19 Japanese aircraft, as illustrated by the number of Japanese flags on his plane. (AP Photo)

American 7th Infantry Division approaches Beach Red at Attu Island Alaska May 1943 — May 11, 1943: American invasion troops of the 7th Infantry Division approach a landing area code-named Beach Red in the western arm of Holtz Bay, on Japanese-occupied Attu island in Alaska. (AP Photo)

US Army reinforcements land on beach in Attu Alaska June 1943 — June 23, 1943: U.S. Army reinforcements land on a beach in Attu, Alaska during World War II. U.S. troops invaded Attu on May 11 to expel the Japanese from the Aleutians. (AP Photo)

Valley on Attu with Japanese positions and mountain passes to Holtz Bay July 1943 — July 6, 1943: Across this valley on Attu, above the fog line that obscures the tops of the mountains, lie the passes that lead to Holtz Bay and Chichagof Bay. Strong Japanese positions are shown in the valley at right center. Attu Island was the site of the only World War II land battle on United States soil. (AP Photo)

Wounded US Marine receives plasma transfusion from nurse Mae Olson above Guadalcanal June 1943 — June 4, 1943: A wounded U.S. Marine is given a plasma transfusion by nurse Mae Olson aboard an aerial evacuation unit, over Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. (AP Photo)

Wounded American soldiers aboard lighter onshore at Munda Point New Georgia August 1943 — August 1943: Wounded American soldiers lie aboard a lighter onshore at Munda Point, New Georgia island. (AP Photo)

Wounded US soldier hoisted aboard Coast Guard transport off Bougainville November 1943 — November 1943: A U.S. soldier wounded in the initial invasion at Empress Augusta Bay is being hoisted aboard a Coast Guard-manned transport off shore of Bougainville island. (AP Photo)

Marine tank crew at rest at Munda after three days of fighting September 1943 — Sept. 11, 1943: After three days of fighting on the front lines on Munda, a Marine’s tank crew takes a rest, during which their machine guns are overhauled. This platoon wiped out 30 Japanese pill boxes. Left to right: Pfc. Arnold McKenzie, Pfc. Joseph Lodico, Pvt. Noel M. Billups, and Staff Sgt. Douglas Ayres. (AP Photo)

B-25 bomber strikes Japanese ship in Rabaul harbor November 1943 — November 2, 1943: A B-25 bomber of the U.S. Army 5th Air Force strikes against a Japanese ship in the harbor at Rabaul, New Britain during an air raid on the Japanese-held air and naval base. (AP Photo)

US troops climb over side of Coast Guard transport to enter landing barges at Bougainville November 1943 — November 1943: As the invasion at Empress Augusta Bay gets under way on Bougainville, U.S. troops are seen climbing over the side of a Coast Guard-manned combat transport to enter the landing barges. (AP Photo)

Supply ship explodes in Rangoon Harbor after direct hit by US bomb November 1943 — Nov. 11, 1943: A supply ship explodes in Rangoon Harbor after a direct hit by a bomb from a Tenth U.S. Air Force plane. Hits also were scored on port facilities. Note numerous small craft moored at docks and offshore. (AP Photo)

Men of 165th Infantry wade through coral water on Yellow Beach at Makin Atoll November 1943 — November 20, 1943: Under attack from Japanese machine gun fire on the right flank, men of the 165th Infantry wade through coral-bottom water on Yellow Beach Two, Butaritari, during the assault on the Makin atoll, Gilbert Islands. (AP Photo)

US Coast Guard crewmen swim under Japanese Kinugawa Maru beached in Solomon Islands November 1943 — Nov. 11, 1943: Crewmen of a U.S. Coast Guard combat transport go for a swim under the hull of a Japanese landmark in the Solomon Islands during World War II. The boat is the Kinugawa Maru, beached by the Japanese after being riddled by American gunners. (AP Photo)

American Navajo Indians of 158th Infantry in traditional dress for tribal ceremony Solomon Islands December 1943 — Dec. 1943: American Navajo Indians from the Southwest United States, members of the 158th U.S. Infantry, are seen on a beach in the Solomon Islands in their traditional dress for a tribal ceremony at Christmastime. Left to right: Pfc. Dale Winney, Pvt. Perry Toney, Pfc. Joe Gishi, and Pfc. Joe Taraha. (AP Photo/U.S. Army Signal Corps)

US Marines wade through rough water to take beach at Cape Gloucester New Britain December 1943 — December 26, 1943: U.S. Marines are seen from above as they wade through rough water to take the beach at Cape Gloucester on New Britain, Papua New Guinea. (AP Photo)

US Marines march ashore from landing crafts at Cape Gloucester New Britain December 1943 — Dec. 26, 1943: U.S. Marines march ashore as they arrive in six landing crafts at Cape Gloucester on the northwestern coast of New Britain Island, New Guinea. The Allied forces made a second big invasion of the Japanese-occupied island in an attempt to capture the big air base at Rabaul. (AP Photo/U.S. Coast Guard)

US Marines carry weapons overhead through wetland at Cape Gloucester January 1944 — January 1944: U.S. Marines carry their weapons and ammunition overhead as they wade through a wetland area at Cape Gloucester, New Britain Island. (AP Photo)

US Marines come ashore from Coast Guard LST at Cape Gloucester New Britain January 1944 — January 1944: U.S. Marines come ashore from the mouth of a Coast Guard-manned LST, during the invasion of New Britain Island at Cape Gloucester. (AP Photo)

US Marine Raiders pose in front of Japanese stronghold at Cape Totkina Bougainville January 1944 — January 1944: These U.S. Marine Raiders, with the reputation of being skillful jungle fighters, pose in front of a Japanese stronghold they conquered at Cape Totkina, Bougainville. (AP Photo)

Captain Carter briefs men for amphibious assault at Arawe New Britain February 1944 — February 23, 1944: Captain Carter, upper center with map, briefs his men for amphibious assault operations at Arawe, New Britain, aboard a troop transport ship. (AP Photo)

Wounded Marine receives treatment from Navy corpsman at first aid station on New Britain February 1944 — February 1944: A wounded Marine receives treatment from a Navy medical corpsman at a jungle first aid station behind the lines on New Britain Island, New Guinea, in the battle for the strategic Japanese airfield on Cape Gloucester during World War II. (AP Photo/U.S. Marine Corps)

US infantrymen leave Higgins boats and race for beach at Wakde Island Dutch New Guinea May 1944 — May 1944: The first wave of U.S. infantrymen leave their Higgins boats and race through the surf for the beach during the invasion of Wakde Island, Dutch New Guinea during World War II. (AP Photo/U.S. Army Signal Corps)

Bomber crew shack on Adak Island Aleutians covered in pin-up pictures March 1944 — March 1944: Hundreds of pictures of pin-up girls adorn the entire wall of this bomber crew shack on Adak Island in the Aleutians in Alaska during World War II. (AP Photo)

American infantrymen follow tank to secure area on Bougainville after Japanese infiltration March 1944 — March 1944: Following in the cover of a tank, American infantrymen secure an area on Bougainville, Solomon Islands after Japanese forces infiltrated their lines during the night. (AP Photo)

US Marines move up beach on Saipan under heavy machine gun fire June 1944 — June 1944: U.S. Marines move up the beach on Saipan under heavy machine gun fire, during landing operations at the island of the Mariana group. (AP Photo)

Japanese bomber shot down near USS Kitkun Bay near Mariana Islands June 1944 — June 1944: A Japanese bomber is shot down as it attempted to attack the USS Kitkun Bay, near the Mariana Islands. (AP Photo)

Two US Marines crawl to positions under enemy fire on beach at Saipan June 1944 — June 1944: Two U.S. Marines are seen crawling to their assigned positions under enemy fire on the beach at Saipan, Mariana Islands. (AP Photo)

Columns of troop-packed LCIs trail Coast Guard transport en route to Cape Sansapor New Guinea July 1944 — July 1944: Columns of troop-packed LCIs trail in the wake of a Coast Guard-manned transport ship en route for the invasion of Cape Sansapor, New Guinea. The deck of the LST is densely packed with heavy military machinery and other war supplies. (AP Photo)

US Marines walk away after blowing up Japanese foxhole during invasion at Saipan July 1944 — July 1944: U.S. Marines walk away from a Japanese foxhole after blowing it up with explosives, during the invasion at Saipan, in the Mariana Islands. (AP Photo)

US Army reinforcement troops disembark from LSTs and cross coral reef toward Saipan beach July 1944 — July 1944: U.S. Army reinforcement troops are seen as they disembark from LSTs in the background and proceed across the coral reef toward Saipan beach, Mariana Islands. (AP Photo)

Flak fills sky as US antiaircraft guns fight off Japanese attack during Saipan invasion July 1944 — July 27, 1944: Flak fills the sky as U.S. antiaircraft guns fight off a Japanese attack during the invasion of Saipan, Mariana Islands. (AP Photo)

Patrolling Marines pass dead Japanese sniper on Guam March 1945 — March 10, 1945: U.S. troops in the Pacific islands continued to find enemy holdouts long after the main Japanese forces had either surrendered or disappeared. Guam was considered cleared by August 12, 1944, but parts of the island were still dangerous half a year later. Patrolling Marines pass a dead Japanese sniper. (Charles P. Gorry, AP Staff/AP Archives)

Curtiss Helldivers from Fast Carrier Task Force 58 over Saipan Mariana Islands August 1944 — August 24, 1944: Curtiss Helldivers from the Fast Carrier Task Force 58 are seen midair on a mission over Saipan, in the Mariana Islands. (AP Photo)

Japanese-occupied harbor of Cebu under attack by US Navy carrier-based fighter planes September 1944 — September 13, 1944: The Japanese-occupied harbor of Cebu is under attack by U.S. Navy carrier-based fighter planes, at Cebu island, Philippines. (AP Photo)

US troops head toward beaches of Leyte island during amphibious assault October 1944 — October 20, 1944: U.S. troops head toward the beaches of Leyte island during the amphibious assault to reconquest the Philippines. (AP Photo)

American soldiers take cover from Japanese machine gun fire in Philippines November 1944 — Nov. 1944: American soldiers take cover from fire of a Japanese machine gun in the Philippines during World War II. The troops are part of the first wave to land on Leyte Island in the Philippine invasion. (AP Photo/U.S. Army Signal Corps)

General MacArthur wades ashore at Leyte Philippines October 20 1944 — October 20, 1944: Gen. Douglas MacArthur, center, accompanied by his officers and Sergio Osmena, president of the Philippines in exile, wades ashore during landing operations at Leyte, Philippines, after U.S. forces recaptured the beach from the Japanese. To his left is Lt. Gen. Richard K. Sutherland, his chief of staff. (AP Photo)

US Marine flame throwing tank attacks Japanese pillbox during invasion of Saipan November 1944 — November 1944: A U.S. Marine flame-throwing tank attacks a Japanese pillbox during the invasion of Saipan, in the Mariana Islands. (AP Photo)

US medics treat wounded comrades at portable surgical unit during 36th Division drive on Pinwe Burma November 1944 — November 12, 1944: U.S. medics treat wounded comrades at a portable surgical unit during the 36th Division’s drive on Pinwe, Burma. (AP Photo)

Ground crew prepares bombs for B-29 Superforts at Saipan airbase November 1944 — November 1944: Ground crew members prepare bombs to be loaded into the racks of the waiting B-29 Superforts, at a U.S. airbase on Saipan, in the Mariana Islands. (AP Photo)

US landing ship tanks pour military equipment onto shores of Leyte island Philippines November 1944 — November 1944: U.S. landing ship tanks are seen from above as they pour military equipment onto the shores of Leyte island, to support invading forces in the Philippines. (AP Photo)

Two Coast Guard landing ships open jaws as US soldiers build sandbag piers on Leyte island November 1944 — November 1944: Two Coast Guard-manned landing ships open their jaws as U.S. soldiers line up to build sandbag piers out to the ramps, on Leyte island, Philippines. (AP Photo)

Firefighters battle fires on USS Intrepid after kamikaze strike off Luzon Philippines November 1944 — Nov. 25, 1944: Firefighters are almost hidden by smoke as they turn their hoses on fires started on the flight deck of the USS Intrepid after a Japanese suicide plane crashed into the carrier while it was operating off the coast of Luzon, the Philippines. (AP Photo/U.S. Navy)

Wounded sailors treated on USS Intrepid flight deck after kamikaze attack November 1944 — Nov. 25, 1944: Wounded sailors are treated on the flight deck of the USS Intrepid after a Japanese suicide pilot crashed his plane on the carrier’s deck while it sailed off the coast of Luzon, the Philippines, during World War II. (AP Photo/U.S. Navy)

Burial at sea ceremonies aboard USS Intrepid for crew lost in kamikaze attack November 1944 — Nov. 26, 1944: Burial at sea ceremonies are held aboard the USS Intrepid for members of the crew lost after the carrier was hit by a Japanese suicide pilot while operating off the coast of Luzon, the Philippines, during World War II. Sixteen men were killed in the kamikaze attack. (AP Photo/U.S. Navy)

B-29 Superfortress explodes after being hit in Japanese air raid on Saipan December 1944 — December 12, 1944: After being hit in a Japanese air raid, a B-29 Superfortress explodes in a ball of fire, while crewmen of the U.S. air base try to fight the inferno on Saipan, Mariana Islands. (AP Photo)

US soldiers watch B-29 Superfortress take off for raid on Japanese mainland from Saipan December 1944 — December 1944: U.S. soldiers at the Saipan airbase, in the Mariana Islands, watch as a B-29 Superfortress takes off for an air raid on the Japanese mainland. (AP Photo)

US paratroopers of 503rd Paratroop Regiment float to earth on Corregidor February 1945 — Feb. 1945: U.S. paratroopers of the 503rd Paratroop Regiment float to earth on Corregidor, a rocky island strategically located at the entrance of Manila Bay on Luzon Island, Philippines during World War II. (AP Photo/U.S. Army Signal Corps)

Two Yank infantrymen of 37th Division climb through Japanese barbed wire during street fighting in Manila February 1945 — Feb. 13, 1945: Two Yank infantrymen of the hard-fighting 37th American Division climb through some Japanese barbed wire during street fighting in Manila in the Philippines. (AP Photo)

Amtracs bogged down in sands along beaches of Iwo Jima after American invasion February 1945 — Feb. 1945: This general view shows amtracs bogged down in the sands along the beaches of Iwo Jima after the American invasion of the Japanese stronghold during World War II. In the background, U.S. Marines and Coast Guard beach parties operate communications and command posts and foxhole “hospitals” as assault troops push back the enemy. (AP Photo/U.S. Coast Guard)

First landings on Iwo Jima February 19 1945 — February 19, 1945: The first landings on Iwo Jima. (U.S. Navy photo)

Amphibious tractors underway off coast of Iwo Jima February 1945 — February 1945: Amphibious tractors underway off the coast of Iwo Jima. (U.S. Navy photo)

Feet of dead Japanese soldier protrude from mound of earth on Iwo Jima February 1945 — February 1945: The booted feet of a dead Japanese soldier protrude from beneath a mound of earth on Iwo Jima during the American invasion of the Japanese Volcano Island stronghold in World War II. U.S. Marines can be seen nearby in foxholes. (AP Photo/Joe Rosenthal)

US Marines hit beach and charge over dune on Iwo Jima February 19 1945 — Feb. 19, 1945: U.S. Marines hit the beach and charge over a dune on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands during the start of one of the deadliest battles of the war against Japan. (AP Photo/Joe Rosenthal)

US Fourth Division Marines move in from beach on Iwo Jima with Mt. Suribachi in background February 1945 — Feb. 19, 1945: U.S. Fourth Division Marines move in from the beach on Iwo Jima. A dead Marine lies at right in the foreground. Mt. Suribachi, in the background, was turned into a beehive of guns by Japanese troops — it was scaled by U.S. Marines, who took control. (AP Photo/Joe Rosenthal)

US Marines of 5th Division inch up sand dune on Red Beach toward Mount Suribachi Iwo Jima February 1945 — February 19, 1945: U.S. Marines of the 5th Division inch their way up a sand dune on Red Beach No. 1 toward Mount Suribachi, as the smoke of the battle drifts over them during the initial invasion on Iwo Jima. (AP Photo)

US Marines of 28th Regiment 5th Division raise American flag atop Mt. Suribachi Iwo Jima February 23 1945 — Feb. 23, 1945: U.S. Marines of the 28th Regiment, 5th Division, raise the American flag atop Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima. Strategically located only 660 miles from Tokyo, the Pacific island became the site of one of the bloodiest, most famous battles of World War II against Japan. (AP Photo/Joe Rosenthal)

US Corpsmen carry wounded Marine on stretcher to evacuation boat at Iwo Jima February 1945 — Feb. 25, 1945: U.S. Corpsmen carry a wounded Marine on a stretcher to an evacuation boat on the beach at Iwo Jima while other Marines huddle in a foxhole during the invasion of the Japanese Volcano Island stronghold in World War II. (AP Photo/Joe Rosenthal)

Wounded Marine transferred by Coast Guardsmen to landing craft off Iwo Jima February 1945 — Feb. 28, 1945: Wounded when Japanese fire made a direct hit on an Amtrac, a Marine is transferred by Coast Guardsmen to a landing craft off the flaming shore of Iwo Jima. After darting in with boatloads of Marines, a Coast Guard-manned landing craft ran back to sea with casualties. (AP Photo)

US Marines prepare graves in cemetery of 3rd and 4th Marine Divisions on Iwo Jima March 1945 — March 1945: U.S. Marines prepare graves in the cemetery of the third and fourth Marine Divisions for their buddies who died in taking the island of Iwo Jima, Japan, during World War II. (AP Photo/U.S. Navy)

US Marine approaches Japanese soldier buried in shell hole on Iwo Jima March 1945 — March 16, 1945: A U.S. Marine approaches a Japanese soldier on Iwo Jima who had been buried for 1½ days in this shell hole playing dead with a live grenade inches from his hand. Promising no resistance, the prisoner was given a cigarette and dragged free from the hole. (AP Photo)

White markers at cemetery of 3rd and 4th Marine Division fighters near Iwo Jima beach April 1945 — April 1945: White markers designate the final resting place for hundreds of Third and Fourth Marine Division fighters who died during the invasion of Iwo Jima. An American flag flies at half staff in tribute to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who died in Warm Springs, Ga., on April 12. (AP Photo/Murray Befeler)

B-29 burns after emergency landing on Iwo Jima returning from raid on Japanese mainland July 1945 — July 9, 1945: A B-29 burns furiously after an emergency landing on Iwo Jima, Japan while returning from a raid on the Japanese mainland. The plane was badly shot up on the raid, but the fire resulted from damage to hydraulic systems which caused a locked brake and a crash upon landing. (AP Photo)

B-29 Superfortress crash lands with two engines working at Iwo Jima April 1945 — April 21, 1945: A B-29 Superfortress rests on a dirt mound after it crash-landed with two engines working at Iwo Jima, Japan during World War II. The U.S. Air Force plane was damaged in a raid over Tokyo. (AP Photo/Murray Befeler)

Japanese night raiders greeted with antiaircraft fire at Yontan airfield Okinawa March 1945 — March 1945: Japanese night raiders are greeted with a lacework of antiaircraft fire by the U.S. Marine defenders of Yontan airfield, on Okinawa during World War II. In the foreground are Marine Corsair fighter planes of the “Hells Belles” squadron silhouetted against the sky. (AP Photo)

USS Santa Fe alongside heavily listing USS Franklin after Japanese dive bomber hit off Okinawa March 1945 — March 19, 1945: The USS Santa Fe lies alongside the heavily listing USS Franklin to provide assistance after the aircraft carrier had been hit and set afire by a single Japanese dive bomber, during the Okinawa invasion off the coast of Honshu, Japan. (AP Photo)

US invasion forces establish beachhead on Okinawa 350 miles from Japanese mainland April 1945 — April 13, 1945: About 350 miles from the Japanese mainland, U.S. invasion forces establish a beachhead on Okinawa island. Landing crafts fill the sea to the horizon, where stand the battleships of the U.S. fleet. (AP Photo)

USS Bunker Hill hit by two Japanese Kamikaze planes off Kyushu May 1945 — May 11, 1945: While supporting the Okinawa invasion, the USS Bunker Hill is hit and severely damaged by two Japanese Kamikaze planes off the coast of Kyushu, Japan. The ship suffered 372 dead and 264 injured. (AP Photo)

Australian troops storm ashore at Balikpapan Borneo July 1945 — July 1945: Australian troops storm ashore in the first assault wave to take Balikpapan on the southeast coast of oil-rich Borneo. Coast Guard Combat Photographer James L. Lonergan is documenting the landing operations from the LST. (AP Photo)

Smoke rises from atomic bomb explosion at Hiroshima Japan August 6 1945 — Aug. 6, 1945: This picture made from the town of Yoshiura, north of Hiroshima, Japan, shows smoke rising from the explosion of the atomic bomb at Hiroshima. Note the radiation spots on the negative caused by the explosion of the A-bomb, almost ruining the film. (AP Photo)

Japanese victims wait for first aid in Hiroshima a few hours after atomic bomb explosion August 6 1945 — Aug. 6, 1945: Japanese victims wait to receive first aid in the southern part of Hiroshima, Japan, a few hours after the U.S. atomic bomb exploded in the heart of the city. The explosion of the first A-bomb, known as “Little Boy,” instantly killed 66,000 people and injured another 69,000. (AP Photo)

Mushroom cloud rises over Nagasaki Japan after atomic bomb August 9 1945 — Aug. 9, 1945: A massive column of billowing smoke, thousands of feet high, mushrooms over the city of Nagasaki, Japan, after an atomic bomb was dropped by the United States. A B-29 plane delivered the blast, killing approximately 70,000 people, with thousands dying later of radiation effects. The attack came three days after the U.S. dropped the world’s first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. The attacks brought about Japan’s unconditional surrender. (AP Photo/U.S. Signal Corps)

Terraced hillsides surrounding destroyed Nagasaki after atomic bomb August 9 1945 — Aug. 9, 1945: Terraced hillsides surrounding Nagasaki did little to lessen the destructiveness of the bomb dropped on this Japanese city. The city was almost completely destroyed except for a lone house standing here and there. (AP Photo)

Arrow marks spot where A-bomb struck Nagasaki Japan August 10 1945 — August 10, 1945: An arrow marks the spot where the A-bomb struck at Nagasaki, Japan. Much of the bombed area is still desolate, the trees on the hills in the background remained charred and dwarfed from the blast. (AP Photo)

Desolated area of Hiroshima Japan after first atomic bomb September 1945 — Sept. 3, 1945: This desolated area, with only some buildings standing here and there, is what was left of Hiroshima, Japan after the first atomic bomb was dropped. (AP Photo)

Sailor and nurse kiss in Times Square New York celebrating end of World War II August 14 1945 — August 14, 1945: A sailor and a nurse kiss passionately in Manhattan’s Times Square, as New York City celebrates the end of World War II. The celebration followed the official announcement that Japan had accepted the terms of Potsdam and surrendered. (AP Photo/Victor Jorgensen)

Jubilant crowd of American Italians wave flags celebrating Japan's surrender New York August 14 1945 — August 14, 1945: A jubilant crowd of American Italians wave flags and toss papers in the air while celebrating Japan’s unconditional surrender in their neighborhood in New York City. (AP Photo)

F4U and F6F fighter planes fly in formation over USS Missouri during surrender ceremonies September 2 1945 — September 2, 1945: F4U and F6F fighter planes are flying in formation over the USS Missouri, while the surrender ceremonies to end World War II take place aboard the U.S. Navy battleship. (AP Photo)

Spectators and correspondents from around world watch Japanese surrender ceremony on USS Missouri Tokyo Bay September 2 1945 — September 2, 1945: Spectators and correspondents from all over the world pick vantage positions on the deck of the USS Missouri, in Tokyo Bay, to watch the formal Japanese surrender ceremony marking the end of World War II. (AP Photo, Frank Filan)

General MacArthur signs Japanese surrender documents aboard USS Missouri Tokyo Bay September 2 1945 — September 2, 1945: Gen. Douglas MacArthur signs the Japanese surrender documents aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. Lt. Gen. Jonathan Wainwright, left foreground, who surrendered Bataan to the Japanese, and British Lt. Gen. A. E. Percival, who surrendered Singapore, observe the ceremony marking the end of World War II. (AP Photo)

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