U.S. Marines battling for control of a ridge near Naha, Okinawa, May 1945

The Battle of Okinawa was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the
largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II. The 82-day-long
battle lasted from early April until mid-June 1945. The invasion was supported
by naval, amphibious, and tactical air forces.

The battle resulted in the highest number of casualties in the Pacific Theater
during World War II. Japan lost over 100,000 soldiers, who were either killed,
captured or committed suicide, and the Allies suffered more than 65,000
casualties of all kinds. Simultaneously, tens of thousands of local civilians
were killed, wounded, or committed suicide.

A Marine Captain Plants the Stars and Strips after the taking
of Shuri Castle