Closing Marines in the Seizure of Iwo Jima by Joseph H. Alexander is a detailed account of the U.S. Marine Corps’ grueling battle to capture Iwo Jima in February–March 1945. One of the bloodiest engagements of World War II, the battle was critical for securing airfields that would support American bombing campaigns against Japan. Alexander vividly describes the brutal combat conditions, the determined Japanese defense, and the extraordinary bravery of the Marines who fought on the island’s volcanic terrain. The book highlights key moments, including the relentless assaults on Mount Suribachi, the famous flag-raising, and the costly struggle to eliminate deeply entrenched enemy positions. He also examines the tactical lessons learned and the immense sacrifices made by both sides. This book is essential reading for those interested in World War II and military history. Closing In provides an insightful and well-researched narrative of the courage, strategy, and hardships that defined one of the most iconic battles in Marine Corps history.
Col. Joseph H. Alexander, USMC served in the Corps for 29 years as an assault amphibian officer. He has written six books, including Utmost Savagery and Edson’s Raiders. He was the Naval Institute Author of the Year in 1996 and Naval History Author of the Year in 2010. He was the principal historian and writer on the exhibit design team throughout the construction of the National Museum of the Marine Corps. He lived in Asheville, North Carolina.