[RaceBannon]

As I remember, the fighting never ended for 31 days. Iwo was declared secure in a week, too, I think, but only 5000 had died by then, with another thousand to die after. Funny how fighting can go on and the place becalled secure. I guess secure just means it is safe to walk around somewhere without being shot right away.

[Poohbah]

Iwo was NOT declared secure in a week--that may have been the one you were thinking of, taking 31 days.

Tarawa was a bloody mess, but it was a BRIEF mess.