Final answer:
The Battle of Iwo Jima is symbolized by Marines raising the American flag atop Mt. Suribachi, an iconic WWII event captured in a famous photograph. This battle was marked by intense combat and high casualties, ultimately resulting in a strategic American victory.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Battle of Iwo Jima
The major battle symbolized by the Marines raising the American flag atop Mt. Suribachi was the Battle of Iwo Jima. This significant WWII battle commenced with U.S. Marines landing on the volcanic island on February 19, 1945, with the flag raising occurring on February 23, 1945, captured in a famous photograph by Joe Rosenthal. Often regarded as one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific Theater, the Battle of Iwo Jima involved a relentless clash between Japanese and American forces. The island was heavily fortified with tunnels and entrenched positions, resulting in high American casualties.
Despite U.S. commanders initially believing the island could be taken in a few days, the battle raged for over a month, reflecting the intense Japanese resistance. By the end of the conflict, the Japanese forces suffered nearly complete annihilation, with the Americans securing the island as a critical base for later operations in the Pacific, including the launching of bombing missions on the Japanese mainland. The raising of the flag on Mt. Suribachi became an iconic image symbolizing American perseverance and victory in the face of extreme adversity.