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The 80th Reunion of Honor is a milestone anniversary that commemorates the sacrifices made by both Japanese and American service members during the Battle of Iwo Jima, honoring their legacy and ensuring their stories are preserved for future generations. This milestone anniversary serves as a reminder of the enduring partnership between both nations and the progress made toward regional stability over the past 80 years. The U.S. Marine Corps was born on November 10th, 1775. From that day until the present, Marines have served with distinction in every clime and place, including the hallowed battle fields of Iwo Jima. This year, the U.S. Marine Corps celebrates 250 years of honor, courage, and commitment across the globe. - From left to right, Joseph Young, Charge d’Affaires for U.S. Embassy Tokyo; the Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Eric Smith; and the Honorable Peter Hegseth, United States Secretary of Defense, lay a commemoration wreath at the Reunion of Honor memorial during the 80th Reunion of Honor ceremony at Iwo To, Japan, March 29, 2025.

The 27th Regiment, 2nd Battalion (USMC), lands on Iwo Jima. - The 27th Regiment, 2nd Battalion (USMC), lands on Iwo Jima. (Photo by Bob Campbell, National Archives Identifier 148727708) // 230223-M-CG311-001

An unidentified WWII veteran places his hand on the names of the Connecticut fallen at the National Iwo Jima Memorial in New Britain CT.(Courtesy Photo) - An unidentified WWII veteran places his hand on the names of the Connecticut fallen at the National Iwo Jima Memorial in New Britain CT.(Courtesy Photo)

U.S. Marines raise the flag atop Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima, Feb. 23, 1945. - U.S. Marines raise the flag atop Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima, Feb. 23, 1945.

From left to right, U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. William L. Koeppe, career planner, Staff Sgt. Nils A. Aylor II, motor vehicle operator, U.S. Navy Hospitalman third class Josh A. Johnson, 8th Marine Regiment, lay wreaths during the 35th Beirut Memorial Observance Ceremony at the Lejeune Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville, N.C., Oct. 23, 2018. A memorial observance is held on Oct. 23 of each year to remember those lives lost during the terrorist attacks at U.S. Marine Barracks, Beirut, Lebanon and Grenada. - From left to right, U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. William L. Koeppe, career planner, Staff Sgt. Nils A. Aylor II, motor vehicle operator, U.S. Navy Hospitalman third class Josh A. Johnson, 8th Marine Regiment, lay wreaths during the 35th Beirut Memorial Observance Ceremony at the Lejeune Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville, N.C., Oct. 23, 2018. A memorial observance is held on Oct. 23 of each year to remember those lives lost during the terrorist attacks at U.S. Marine Barracks, Beirut, Lebanon and Grenada.

Brig. Gen. Bradley S. James, commanding general of 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, reads a letter written by Gen. Robert B. Neller, Commandant of the Marine Corps, addressing retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Hershel “Woody” Williams, the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from the Battle of Iwo Jima, for his 95th birthday at the National World War II Museum, Oct. 2, 2018. Part of the letter stated, “This is a remarkable milestone and I hope it will offer you the opportunity to reflect on a lifetime of achievements.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl Tessa D. Watts) - Brig. Gen. Bradley S. James, commanding general of 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, reads a letter written by Gen. Robert B. Neller, Commandant of the Marine Corps, addressing retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Hershel “Woody” Williams, the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from the Battle of Iwo Jima, for his 95th birthday at the National World War II Museum, Oct. 2, 2018. Part of the letter stated, “This is a remarkable milestone and I hope it will offer you the opportunity to reflect on a lifetime of achievements.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl Tessa D. Watts)

Multiple squadrons participated in the professional military education on the island to gain information on its historical significance and foster esprit de corps. - U.S. Marines from Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, collect sand at Iwo To (Iwo Jima), Japan, Nov. 7, 2017. Multiple squadrons participated in the professional military education on the island to gain information on its historical significance and foster esprit de corps.

Iwo Jima veteran Francis Jackson participates in the 72nd Reunion of Honor commemorative service on Iwo To, Japan March 25, 2017. Jackson was one of eight veterans in attendance alongside American and Japanese distinguished guests, both military and civilian. This event presented the opportunity for the U.S. and Japanese people to mutually remember and honor thousands of service members who fought and died on the hallowed grounds of Iwo Jima. - Iwo Jima veteran Francis Jackson participates in the 72nd Reunion of Honor commemorative service on Iwo To, Japan March 25, 2017. Jackson was one of eight veterans in attendance alongside American and Japanese distinguished guests, both military and civilian. This event presented the opportunity for the U.S. and Japanese people to mutually remember and honor thousands of service members who fought and died on the hallowed grounds of Iwo Jima.

The U.S. Marine Corps has concluded that a previously unknown Marine is in the iconic flag raising image taken atop Mt. Suribachi during the battle of Iwo Jima in 1945. - The U.S. Marine Corps has concluded that a previously unknown Marine is in the iconic flag raising image taken atop Mt. Suribachi during the battle of Iwo Jima in 1945.

James "Jim" Krodel, a Marine veteran and survivor of the battle for Iwo Jima from Quitman, Texas, poses for a photo during the Iwo Jima Battle Survivors and Family Association 70th anniversary reunion at Wichita Falls, Texas, February 14, 2015. Krodel served in the Marines 1944-1946. - James "Jim" Krodel, a Marine veteran and survivor of the battle for Iwo Jima from Quitman, Texas, poses for a photo during the Iwo Jima Battle Survivors and Family Association 70th anniversary reunion at Wichita Falls, Texas, February 14, 2015. Krodel served in the Marines 1944-1946.

Raymond Lueb, Marine survivor from the battle of Iwo Jima, poses for a photo during the Iwo Jima Battle Survivors and Family Association 70th anniversary reunion at Wichita Falls, Texas, February 14, 2015. Lueb served in the Marine Corps from January 1944 until May 1946. - Raymond Lueb, Marine survivor from the battle of Iwo Jima, poses for a photo during the Iwo Jima Battle Survivors and Family Association 70th anniversary reunion at Wichita Falls, Texas, February 14, 2015. Lueb served in the Marine Corps from January 1944 until May 1946.

Marshall Harris, Marine survivor from the battle of Iwo Jima, poses for a photo during the Iwo Jima Battle Survivors and Family Association 70th anniversary reunion at Wichita Falls, Texas, February 14, 2015. Harris served with 2nd Armored Amphibian Tank Battalion during World War II. - Marshall Harris, Marine survivor from the battle of Iwo Jima, poses for a photo during the Iwo Jima Battle Survivors and Family Association 70th anniversary reunion at Wichita Falls, Texas, February 14, 2015. Harris served with 2nd Armored Amphibian Tank Battalion during World War II.

Members of the Marine Corps Historical Company present an Iwo Jima Flag Raising Tableau during the Iwo Jima Commemorative Banquet for the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 7. The evening included a sunset memorial, 21-gun salute, banquet and a video message for veterans from Commandant of the Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford. “Your legacy is the young men and women who use your example of courage and commitment to inspire them to confront and overcome the challenges that they face today … I pledge that today’s Marines will keep the spirit of Iwo Jima alive,” said Dunford. - Members of the Marine Corps Historical Company present an Iwo Jima Flag Raising Tableau during the Iwo Jima Commemorative Banquet for the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 7. The evening included a sunset memorial, 21-gun salute, banquet and a video message for veterans from Commandant of the Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford. “Your legacy is the young men and women who use your example of courage and commitment to inspire them to confront and overcome the challenges that they face today … I pledge that today’s Marines will keep the spirit of Iwo Jima alive,” said Dunford.

William "Bill" Schott, a Marine veteran and survivor from the battle of Iwo Jima, poses for a photo at the Iwo Jima Battle Survivors and Family Association 70th anniversary reunion in Wichita Falls, Texas, February 14, 2015. Schott served in the Marine Corps from 1943 to 1947. - William "Bill" Schott, a Marine veteran and survivor from the battle of Iwo Jima, poses for a photo at the Iwo Jima Battle Survivors and Family Association 70th anniversary reunion in Wichita Falls, Texas, February 14, 2015. Schott served in the Marine Corps from 1943 to 1947.

Hershel "Woody" Williams, Marine survivor from the battle of Iwo Jima and the last living Medal of Honor recipient for his actions during the battle, poses for a photo during the Iwo Jima Battle Survivors and Family Association 70th anniversary reunion at Wichita Falls, Texas, February 14, 2015. Williams has started the Hershel "Woody" Williams Medal of Honor Foundation, which encourages, with the assistance of the American public and community leaders, establishing permanent gold star family memorial monuments in their communities throughout the United States to honor gold star families who have sacrificed a loved one in the service of their country. - Hershel "Woody" Williams, Marine survivor from the battle of Iwo Jima and the last living Medal of Honor recipient for his actions during the battle, poses for a photo during the Iwo Jima Battle Survivors and Family Association 70th anniversary reunion at Wichita Falls, Texas, February 14, 2015. Williams has started the Hershel "Woody" Williams Medal of Honor Foundation, which encourages, with the assistance of the American public and community leaders, establishing permanent gold star family memorial monuments in their communities throughout the United States to honor gold star families who have sacrificed a loved one in the service of their country.

Hershel "Woody" Williams, Marine survivor from the battle of Iwo Jima and the last living Medal of Honor recipient for his actions during the battle, and William "Bil" Schott a Marine survivor from the battle of Iwo Jima, salute during the singing of the Star Spangled Banner during the 70th Anniversary Iwo Jima Veteran's Program at Sheppard Air Force Base Elementary School, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, February 13, 2015. The students at the school performed a program with the Sheppard Choir singing songs and the sixth graders reading poems they wrote. - Hershel "Woody" Williams, Marine survivor from the battle of Iwo Jima and the last living Medal of Honor recipient for his actions during the battle, and William "Bil" Schott a Marine survivor from the battle of Iwo Jima, salute during the singing of the Star Spangled Banner during the 70th Anniversary Iwo Jima Veteran's Program at Sheppard Air Force Base Elementary School, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, February 13, 2015. The students at the school performed a program with the Sheppard Choir singing songs and the sixth graders reading poems they wrote.