"All officers of Chichi Jima, goodbye from Iwo"

“We are still fighting", Kuribayashi radioed on March 22. "The strength under my command is now about four hundred. Tanks are attacking us. The enemy suggested we surrender through loudspeaker, but our officers and men just laughed and paid no attention.”

“We are sorry indeed we could not have defended the island successfully. Now I, Kuribayashi, believe that the enemy will invade Japan proper from this island. … I am very sorry, because I can imagine the scenes of disaster in our empire. However, I comfort myself a little, seeing my officers and men die without regret after struggling in this inch-by-inch battle against an overwhelming enemy with many tanks and being exposed to indescribable bombardments. … I would like now to apologize to my senior and fellow officers for not being strong enough to stop the enemy invasion.”

“James Bradley, Flags of Our Fathers, p. 245.”

“Do not plan for my return...”

“The battle is approaching its end. Since the enemy’s landing, even the gods would weep at the bravery of the officers and men under my command. … men died one by one, and I regret very much that I have allowed the enemy to occupy a piece of Japanese territory.”

“The US is the last country in the world we should fight.”