The battle of Iwo Jima and invasion of Iwo Jima from the U.S. stemmed from the need of a base near the Japanese coast according to http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/battle-of-iwo-jima. U.S. naval force and air force prepared for the battle by extensive aerial bombings and naval bombardments on the island. American soldiers landed on the island to attack in February 1945, the island was defended by about 23,000 Japanese soldiers who fought from caves, dugouts, and tunnels. The American Marines defeated the Japanese after about a month. The battle is remembered not only for the fierce fighting by the marines but also by the famous photo taken by Joe Rosenthal which shows American Soldiers raising an American flag on Japanese soil. This photo immortalized the battle and was used on stamps. http://www.history.navy.mil/library/online/battleiwojima.htm