Battle of Iwo Jima 70th Anniversary On this date, 70 years ago Marines stormed the beaches of Iwo Jima. The Marines fought for 36 days, sometimes inch by inch, to take the island. More than twice as many Marines died in combat on Iwo Jima than had been killed in all of World War I. Close to 7,000 Marines and sailors died and 20,000 were wounded. Additionally, twenty-seven Medals of Honor were awarded to Marines and sailors who fought in the battle, many posthumously. Semper Fidelis Marines! Vide