Posted on Apr 1, 2016
The Battle of Okinawa: How the US Advanced to Japan's Doorstep
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One of the longest and costliest battles of the Pacific Theater, Okinawa saw American forces sustain 49,151 casualties (12,520 killed), while the Japanese incurred 117,472 (110,071 killed). In addition, 142,058 civilians became casualties
The Battle of Okinawa: How the US Advanced to Japan's Doorstep
Posted from militaryhistory.about.comPosted in these groups: 
Navy
Military History
Navy Military History
Posted >1 y ago
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This is what I'm talking about. This is one of the best history lessons posted up here on RP.
I love reading about all the battles that this great country has endured, and all veterans from the beginning of fighting when we separate our selves from Europe until the wars and police actions going on today have my upmost respect. I like reading more about WWII till now though. I guess it's because I can relate to this wars more then the ones before. I like talking to the WWII veterans and the Vietnam veterans and hearing there story's. It's alway good to be able to sit down with someone who was apart of the history we learn about tgen to just read it. Great post. Thank you PO2 Mark Saffell
I love reading about all the battles that this great country has endured, and all veterans from the beginning of fighting when we separate our selves from Europe until the wars and police actions going on today have my upmost respect. I like reading more about WWII till now though. I guess it's because I can relate to this wars more then the ones before. I like talking to the WWII veterans and the Vietnam veterans and hearing there story's. It's alway good to be able to sit down with someone who was apart of the history we learn about tgen to just read it. Great post. Thank you PO2 Mark Saffell
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PO2 Mark Saffell I am a firm believer that the Japanese resolve on Okinawa is one of the reasons that President Truman elected to use the nuclear option over an invasion of mainland Japan. Not the only reason, but I strongly believe that seeing what it cost America to take the islands closest to Japan had to weigh into the decision.
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SGT Aaron Atwood
Not just the Japanese resolve, but effectiveness of their propaganda at the time. Propagandists went around telling the Okinawan locals (who aren't truly Japanese) it was better to kill themselves than encounter Americans. Lots of Okinawans fell to their deaths by jumping over cliffs on one side of the island in particular.
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PO2 Mark Saffell Like many places our military has conquered at an extreme cost; we relinquish control and are then subject to the whims of the vanquished!
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