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27th Marines - D plus 4 23 February, 1945

This combat team continued to be division reserve.

Division reports that our basic map may have been compromised due to copies being lost in battle. Security precautions were taken. At 0300, an undetermined number of enemy infiltrated our lines along the west coast. The following units were identified from documents; Tan 7180 unit, Nishiki unit, Akatsuki 16722 unit, Nakayama unit, Ito unit, and Special Naval Landing force unit 1198. Pull-type booby-traps were found attached to some enemy dead and also to saki bottles and helmets. Artillery and mortar fire was received around the CP all day. Fire seems to be concentrating on roads west of Airfield #1 near our CP.

One POW was captured in T.S. 163R. He was a member of a naval guard unit. At 2030, FLASH RED. At 2115, ALL CLEAR.

The enemy dead reported to date was 645.

28th Marines - D+4 1800, 22 February to 1800, 23 February.

Night Activity: A miserable night was spent by all because of the heavy rain during the previous day and sporadic enemy mortar fire through the night. Attempted enemy infiltration during the night failed.

Daylight Operations: The attack commenced at 0900. LT-228 was ordered to secure and occupy the crest of SURIBACHI. LT-128 was ordered to pass one company through LT-328's right company. LT-328's remaining company on the line was attached to LT-128 and LT-128 was further ordered to attack around the base of the mountain and contact LT-228 on the southern tip of the island. It was impossible to scale the mountain in LT-128's zone of action.

A four man patrol followed by a forty man patrol led by 1st Lt. Schrier of LT-228 reached the top of SURIBACHI on the northeast rim of the crater at 1020 and raised the national color.

At 1130, elements of 128 met elements of 228 on the southern tip of the island. Objective R-B was reported secured except for mopping up.

Messages congratulating CT-28 on the seizure of SURIBACHI were received from Lt. Gen. Smith, Vice Admiral Turner, and Maj. Gen. Rockey, Commanding General of the 5th Marine Division.

The remainder of the day was spent in mopping up, blowing caves, etc.

For night defense, 40 men from E Co were left on top of SURIBACHI and the Combat Team set up a defense line extending from the east beach in 132 R southwest to the west beach in 132 E west, thence up the west beach to 147 B.

CP's: no change.

Casualties for period: Off. Enl.

KIA & DOW 18

WIA 15 SK (evac) 1 8 TOTAL 1 41

Combat efficiency: 65%