In this handwritten letter, an American serviceman describes a photograph of the invasion convoy approaching Ie Shima in April 1945, noting the island's defended hill, held by an estimated 5,000 Japanese troops. Ie Shima, off the coast of Okinawa, was the scene of intense fighting during the final months of the Pacific War and is remembered as the place where war correspondent Ernie Pyle was killed. Personal letters like this offer firsthand perspective that complements the official photographic record. Project: 218239