Photograph, aerial. View of landing craft carrying U.S. Marines to the shore of Iheya Island; smoke column visbile on land. Official Caption: "Rome. 8/2/45--U.S. INVASION CRAFT LAND ON IHEYA ISLAND. Invasion craft bearing veteran U.S. Marines hit the beach on Iheya Island June 3, 1945, as units from Okinawa--20 miles (32 km.) away--invaded the tiny but strategic island. Smoke rises from a burning enemy gun emplacement hit by a shell near the small village where the Americans are landing. It will be valuable as an observation station and an outpost guarding Okinawa. The group is about 375 miles (600 km.) south of Japan's home islands, and will serve as a valuable sea and air base from which to attack targets in Japan. Photo through Rome U.S.I.S.approved by appropriate military authority. A & B lists out." Iheya Island, Okinawa, Japan. 3 June 1945