Thoughts on Letters from Iwo Jima

What is the Best Way to Die for One's Leader

Letters from Iwo Jima is a Clint Eastwood (director) film about the fateful battle of Iwo Jima which focuses on the Japanese who gave their lives in service of their emperor.  This film paints a picture of the stuggles within the minds and souls of these soldiers as they fight for a cause that appears less and less tangible the closer they come to death.  Probably one of the most telling moments of the movie is when the general speaks to his troops and gives the command "no [soldier] is allowed to die without first killing ten Americans."  The general already knew the fate he was to face with his men; yet, the story twists and turns about the how and why of this grim fate.  These twists and turns were largely focused on the commanders.

The Island of Iwo Jima

Here are some of the commanders as they were portrayed in the movie along with what they represented.

Lieutenant Ito  Lieutenant Ito put honor before all else.  He thought it the utmost in dishonor for men to leave the battlefield when all was lost.  He would rather a soldier die then to retreat and fight another day.  The movie possibly dealt most with the two sides of this concept.  Eventually, he grew to understand the futility of charging headlong into the battlefield against such a numerous adversary and allowed his men to reinforce a dug in unit.  Still, his honor was such that he could not back down himself and went to face the enemy alone.

Baron Nishi  He understood the sacrifice of the soldiers.  Men idolized Baron Nishi instantly.  His noble stature and wise demeanor raised allowed his men served as a flagship for the men under his command.  He treated his subordinates with respect and they returned that respect in kind.  The circumstances of his death represented a respect for the sacrifice that the soldier of Iwo Jima were making.

Baron Nishi 

Lieutenant Okubo  This Lieutenant represented duty.  He was given an order, and he followed it.  He expected the same from his men who he regularly abused to enforce their subordination.  The movie most certainly painted blind duty as dangerous.  The men who followed his order, as well as Lieutenant Okubo, died at their own hands rather than making a last stand.

General Kuribayashi  General Kuribayashi had a good balance of convictions.  He sacraficed himself by accepting a mission he knew he would not survice.  He honored his men and treated them with respect.  He also felt that the soldiers should not die in a futile manner.  In this way, they should die for a noble cause rather than simply dying for an aimless conviction.

General Kuribayashi

What is the best way to die for one's leader?  Pride? Honor? Nobility?  It is a question that probably seems completely foreign to a modern society.  Yet, in this world riddled with small wars, many of us face it still.