When Valor Became Common

The battle's later weeks were a relentless grind through Iwo Jima's strongest defenses. Marines battered the "Meat Grinder" of Hill 382, Turkey Knob, and the Amphitheater, where progress was measured in yards and companies were reduced to fragments. Caves, reverse-slope positions, and night counterattacks forced constant, costly use of tank–infantry teams, flamethrowers, and demolitions. This episode will finish up our Iwo Jima series. We'll close with the sobering numbers, highlight the overlooked contributions of Montford Point Marines, and also examine the extraordinary sacrifice of Navy corpsmen.