On February 19, 1945, seven battalions of U.S. Marines landed on the eastern beaches of Iwo Jima. On the southernmost flank, in the shadows of Suribachi, the First Battalion, 28th Marines, stormed ashore into the bloodiest and most renowned of all battles fought by the U.S. Marine Corps. Thirty-six days later, the Marines overran the "Bloody Gorge" and dislodged the last enemy holdouts. The battle was over, but at great cost: 225 of the First Battalion's men died on Iwo Jima. Based on official reports and personal accounts, this is a day-by-day history of the First Battalion, 28th Marines, on Iwo Jima. Each chapter presents an overview of that day's combat and other relevant events, and also contains the text of that day's official regimental and battalion narratives. The text is complemented by a chronology and transcribed muster rolls for February and March 1945. “extremely well-researched...admirably detailed historic and complete account”― Military ; “excellent”― Spearhead News ; “[a] day-by-day history of the First Battalion, 28th Marines on Iwo Jima”― Reference & Research Book News. Snellville, Georgia, resident Robert E. Allen was drafted by the Marine Corps upon graduating from high school in June 1944. After accelerated training at Parris Island and Camp Lejeune, the 18-year-old joined the Marine forces on Iwo Jima.