Through the skill and devotion to duty of their armed forces of all branches in the Midway area our citizens can now rejoice that a momentous victory is in the making.

By their victory, the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions and other units of the Fifth Amphibious Corps have made an accounting to their country which only history will be able to value fully. Among the Americans who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue.

Some of the best advice I've had comes from junior officers and enlisted men.

If you're not making waves, you're not under weigh.

They fought together as brothers in arms; they died together and now they sleep side by side. To them we have a solemn obligation.

I have just taken on a great responsibility. I will do my utmost to meet it.

We shall never forget that it was our submarines that held the lines against the enemy while our fleets replaced losses and repaired wounds.