Good point about Tarawa. Tarawa was indeed bloody, but it was also short, taking 76 hours, if I'm not mistaken. Iwo Jima lasted for 36 days and that isn't including afterwards when solo Japanese survivors finally surrendered and were killed. In addition even though the Marines suffered fewer KIAs than the Japanese (6,821 vs. approximately 20,000), casualty-wise the US suffered 28,686 casualties vs. the approximate 20,000 Japanese casualties. On a different note I'm wondering if anyone knows the origens of the first two flags that flew over Mount Suribachi. I heard the second and more famous one was taken from a ship sunk at Pearl Harbor. I'm also curious as to what happened to the two after their time in history. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the second flag is in the Marine Corps Museum. I've got a couple more questions like was Raymond Jacobs one of the original flagraisers? Was Sgt. Mike Strank wearing a hat or a helmet when he raised the second flag? My final question is one poised by historian Robert S. Burrell. Was Iwo Jima worth it? Burrell said it wasn't but I say it was. I'm just curious what other people think.