Beginning in late March, 1945 and ending on June 22, 1945, the Battle of Okinawa was a pivotal milestone in drawing a close to World War II in the Pacific Theater. It was the first time that one of the islands considered a Japanese homeland experienced an invasion and ground fighting. The intense fighting due to well dug in positions of the Japanese resulted in nearly 50,000 U.S. casualties, over 100,000 Japanese soldiers killed, and another 100,000 Okinawan civilians killed. The example served by the Battle of Okinawa may have…
