Absolutely brother. I was in I Corps as well (three times). The situation of 1945 was (hopefully) unique to that war and that time. Certainly today given different weapons and capabilities a similar situation would indicate a different response.
The fac is that given the technology and the political climate of the times bloody battles on Iwo or anywhere else in the Pacific Campaign were an inevitable next step. Iwo as an air base in our hands was of marginal value but then also Iwo in the Japanese hands was a serious threat and both nation's knew it.
The effectiveness of the Marine Corps, besides our somewhat unique ethos, is that we have innovated far ahead of our opposition and even allies and the US Army. After all it was the Marines that pioneered close air support, amphibous landings, helicopter vertical envelopement, and dedicated special op teams. All these are accepted, very effective tactics today.
I was once told that what makes the Marines unique in innovation is that we learn not only from our mistakes but from our successes. After the Iraq War 8 commanders of units from battalion on up were quietly relieved. Not for losing or screwing up but for rather for not winning better.
Well said. Thanks for the reply.