The purpose of this article is to discuss the Battle of Iwo Jima or the operational detachment, the events that led to the battle and the aftereffects it had on the UNITED STATES. The Battle of Iwo Jima was one of the most important battles of the 1945 World War II. Although many battles took place during World War II, this was one of the most important because the American invasion aimed to capture the entire island, including its three airfields, to provide a staging area for attacks on the main Japanese islands. These were the fiercest and bloodiest battles of World War II. The battles themselves were immortalized in Joe Rosenthal's photograph showing the raising of the American flag atop Mount Suribachi by five U.S. Marines and a member of the U.S. Naval Hospital Corps. Battle Leaders The two main battle leaders were General Holland McTyeire "Howlin' Mad". Smith of the United States Army and General Tadamichi Kuribayashi of the Imperial Japanese Army. Also helping to lead the United States to victory in the Battle of Iwo Jima. General Tadamichi Kuribayashi was assisted by Colonel Baron Takeichi Nishi who commanded the 26th Tank Regiment of the Ogasawara Corps ("The Battle of Iwo Jima", nd). American Battle LeadersGeneral Holland McTyeire "Howlin' Mad" Smith Holland Smith was born on April 20. , 1882 in Hatchechubbee, Alabama. He received a bachelor of science degree from Auburn University in 1901. Smith, became a first sergeant in a cavalry company in the Alabama National Guard. He then requested a commission in the army, but instead was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Navy in... middle of paper ......ith. (January 21, 2014). Wikipedia. Retrieved January 23, 2014 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holland_SmithIwo Jima (island, Japan). (nd). Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Retrieved February 5, 2014 from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/298379/Iwo-JimaIwo Jima operation, February-March 1945. (nd). Operation Iwo Jima, February-March 1945. Retrieved February 5, 2014 from http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/iwojima/iwojima.htmTadamichi Kuribayashi. (January 21, 2014). Wikipedia. Retrieved January 23, 2014 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tadamichi_KuribayashiTakeichi Nishi. (January 1, 2014). Wikipedia. Retrieved January 23, 2014 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takeichi_Nishi United States Marine Corps. (nd). Wikipedia. Retrieved February 5, 2014 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Marine_Corps#Origins