Okinawa: Crucible of the Pacific

Of all the Pacific battles of World War II, Okinawa stands out as the most severe trial of the U.S. armed forces – their crucible. The Japanese launched a “typhoon of steel” against the U.S. invasion which was the last and largest amphibious assault in the Pacific. American forces faced a Japanese army defense force of 130,000 men and an unprecedented 3,000 kamikaze sorties targeting the U.S. invasion fleet. In a last desperate throw of the dice, the Japanese navy dispatched the world’s largest battleship Yamato for another type of kamikaze assault on Okinawa. Historian Ed Gordon will discuss many facets of his wide ranging battle – Operation Iceberg – that extended from March 14 to June 22, 1944.

Presenter: Dr. Edward Gordon

Program free with regular paid admission.