Okinawa marks 80 years since end of one of harshest WWII battles with pledge to share tragic history

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By MARI YAMAGUCHI
Updated 3:06 AM CDT, June 23, 2025

TOKYO (AP) — Okinawa marked the 80th anniversary of the end of one of the harshest battles of World War II fought on the southern island.

With global tensions escalating, its governor said on Monday it is the Okinawan “mission” to keep telling the tragic history and its impact today.

The Battle of Okinawa killed a quarter of the island’s population, leading to a 27-year U.S. occupation and a heavy American troop presence to date.

Monday’s memorial comes one day after U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, adding to a sense of uncertainty on the island about the heavy American military presence and in its remote islands, already worried about getting embroiled in a potential conflict in Taiwan.



Read more: https://apnews.com/article/japan-battle-okinawa-us-wwii-memorial-4cb77792588781f5460d162aeab8b191

[TexasTowelie]

1. My father was there for the fight. nt

[thought crime]

4. Eugene Sledge's book was used for the TV series, The Pacific

With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa is a memoir by US Marine Eugene Sledge.

It's difficult to believe what American Marines and Soldiers went through. And Japanese defenders may have endured even worse conditions, if that's even possible.

[LudwigPastorius]

2. My dad was stationed there during the Korean War.

And, I was there for a week entertaining the troops back in '86. It is really a beautiful place, but I heard several ghost stories told by soldiers and locals when I was there. (Google: building 2283)

With the massive bloodshed of the war, on both sides, and the enormous civilian casualties, including mass suicides, it's no wonder that some people consider the island one the most haunted places on earth.

[SARose]

3. My Dad was in charge of a landing craft

Full of Marines at Iwo Jima and Okinawa.