Veterans Reflect on Iwo Jima : World War II: Ex-soldiers see modern-day Marines storm Camp Pendleton beach to begin 3-day commemoration of Pacific battle.

Dozens of Marine and Navy veterans of Iwo Jima gathered at Camp Pendleton on Thursday to begin a three-day commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the costliest battle in Marine Corps history.

The 4th and 5th Marine divisions, supported by hundreds of Navy ships, went ashore the sandy, treeless Pacific island Feb. 19, 1945. It was supposed to be a three-day operation, with the 3rd Marine Division held in reserve.

But the huge number of casualties forced the Marines to commit the 3rd Division on the fifth day of the battle. The island, 600 miles from Japan, was not declared secured until March 26, 1945.

U.S. casualties on Iwo Jima were 23,000, including 6,800 dead. Of the 21,304 Japanese defenders, only 1,083 survived the battle.

On Thursday, the veterans, many in their 70s, watched as today’s Marines demonstrated a landing on the Camp Pendleton beach. The young Marines assaulted the beach in Hovercraft, supported by helicopter gunships.

In contrast, the World War II veterans rumbled to Iwo Jima’s beaches huddled in bulky landing craft that could not maneuver beyond the water’s edge. Modern Hovercraft can actually operate over the water and land.

After the demonstration, the veterans who once ate C rations were treated to MREs--Meal Ready to Eat--combat rations used by today’s military.

The commemoration will be capped on Saturday at a memorial service honoring the sailors and Marines killed in the battle. The service will begin at 4 p.m. at the South Mesa Staff Noncommissioned Officers’ Club, followed by a dinner. The memorial service is open to the public.

Twenty-seven men, including four Navy corpsmen who stormed the beaches with the Marines, were awarded the Medal of Honor at Iwo Jima, the highest number of recipients for any World War II action. Fourteen Medals of Honor were awarded posthumously.