[oh8eleven]

The stunning heroism of the Iwo Jima veterans is unparalleled.
C'mon, to make a broad brush statement like that denies the valor of soooo many others, like ...

Belleau Wood, Tarawa, Saipan, Okinawa, Chosin Reservoir, Con Thien, Khe Sahn, Battle of the Bulge, Hurtgen Forest, Normandy, et al.

[Chainmail]

All worthy battles, all required stunning courage and selflessness but Iwo was unique in its grim efficiency as a death trap. It was the only battle in which our casualties almost matched those of the Japanese holding Iwo.

[jmacusa]

I wouldn’t say it denies the valor of the hard fought battles in Europe and the Pacific. The NVA were certainly a tough and tenacious foe. But consider that in Europe GI’s could be pulled off the line for some R&R, a warm bed, a hot meal, see a movie, even fraternize with women. On those Pacific islands there was none of that. The only way off any of those hell holes was to kill every stinking Jap on it. The Japanese didn’t surrender. They knew for them where ever they fought that would be their grave yard.