NEWS

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.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Ethan Jara, a native of East Bethel, Minnesota and an ammunition technician with III Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, maneuvers his fire team on an Infantry Battle Platoon Course during a live fire range on U.S. Army Garrison Casey, Gyeonggi, South Korea, Feb. 10, 2023. III MSB is conducting Bushido Strike 23, which comprises training events including a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation in South Korea to validate its mission essential tasks of providing combat service, security and administrative services to III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Manuel A. Serrano) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Ethan Jara, a native of East Bethel, Minnesota and an ammunition technician with III Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, maneuvers his fire team on an Infantry Battle Platoon Course during a live fire range on U.S. Army Garrison Casey, Gyeonggi, South Korea, Feb. 10, 2023. III MSB is conducting Bushido Strike 23, which comprises training events including a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation in South Korea to validate its mission essential tasks of providing combat service, security and administrative services to III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Manuel A. Serrano)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James W. Bierman, the III Marine Expeditionary Force Commanding General, and Japan Self-Defense Force LTG Ryoji Takemoto, the Western Army Commanding General, collaboratively lead a virtual bilateral operations confirmation brief during exercise Keen Edge 22, Feb. 2, 2022. Keen Edge 22 was a bilateral command post exercise conducted Jan. 27 through Feb. 3, 2022. The exercise is an annual event that improves interagency coordination, combat readiness and interoperability of all participants. This U.S.-Japan exercise series alternates between field training exercises (i.e., Keen Sword) and command post exercises (i.e., Keen Edge). (U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Cpl. Francesca Landis) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James W. Bierman, the III Marine Expeditionary Force Commanding General, and Japan Self-Defense Force LTG Ryoji Takemoto, the Western Army Commanding General, collaboratively lead a virtual bilateral operations confirmation brief during exercise Keen Edge 22, Feb. 2, 2022. Keen Edge 22 was a bilateral command post exercise conducted Jan. 27 through Feb. 3, 2022. The exercise is an annual event that improves interagency coordination, combat readiness and interoperability of all participants. This U.S.-Japan exercise series alternates between field training exercises (i.e., Keen Sword) and command post exercises (i.e., Keen Edge). (U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Cpl. Francesca Landis)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Micheala Restuvog, the career planner with III Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion, poses for a photo on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 17, 2021. Restuvog has served as a career planner for many years now impacting Marines' lives on a daily basis. (U.S. Marine Corps photo/ illustration by Cpl. Francesca Landis) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Micheala Restuvog, the career planner with III Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion, poses for a photo on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 17, 2021. Restuvog has served as a career planner for many years now impacting Marines' lives on a daily basis. (U.S. Marine Corps photo/ illustration by Cpl. Francesca Landis)

U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Ronald Thomas, the distribution management chief with III Marine Expeditionary Force, receives the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal on June 15, 2021. - U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Ronald Thomas, the distribution management chief with III Marine Expeditionary Force, receives the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal on June 15, 2021. Thomas and his wife, Master Sgt. Sara Thomas, the G-2 plans chief with III MEF, received medals for their heroic actions at Ta-Taki Falls on Sept. 13, 2020. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Natalie Greenwood)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jonathan Fico, a fire support Marine with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, assists in establishing an observation post during an exercise near Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, April 21, 2021. - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jonathan Fico, a fire support Marine with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, assists in establishing an observation post during an exercise near Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, April 21, 2021. The training allowed 15th Brigade forces to study tactical communication, maneuver and fires increasing interoperability between the two countries. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brienna Tuck)

U.S. Marines, Sailors, and SOFA status civilians with 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade pose for group photo during a Reboot graduation on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, June 3, 2021. - U.S. Marines, Sailors, and SOFA status civilians with 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade pose for group photo during a Reboot graduation on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, June 3, 2021. Reboot Recovery is a Christian non-profit organization that holds 12-week courses to help service members overcome trauma from post-traumatic stress.

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Spendia T. Herrera, a distribution management chief at 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, and her son, Carmelo, pose for a photo on Camp Shields, Okinawa, Japan, April 26, 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Francesca Landis) - U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Spendia T. Herrera, a distribution management chief at 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, and her son, Carmelo, pose for a photo on Camp Shields, Okinawa, Japan, April 26, 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Francesca Landis)