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It was the site of [[Battle of Okinawa|the bloodiest battle]] between the [[United States]] and Japan of [[World War II]], beginning on April 1, 1945. A total of 60,000 U.S. troops landed on Okinawa in the largest amphibious attack of the [[War in the Pacific]].  A total of 12,000 Americans died and 36,000 were wounded.

It was the site of [[Battle of Okinawa|the bloodiest battle]] between the [[United States]] and Japan of [[World War II]], beginning on April 1, 1945. A total of 60,000 U.S. troops landed on Okinawa in the largest amphibious attack of the [[War in the Pacific]].  A total of 12,000 Americans died and 36,000 were wounded.

{{quotebox|The battle of Okinawa dominated the first nine weeks of Truman's presidency and eventually accounted for one-quarter of all American casualties in the Pacific War. [http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/hamby.htm] }}

{{quotebox|The battle of Okinawa dominated the first nine weeks of Truman's presidency and eventually accounted for one-quarter of all American casualties in the Pacific War. [http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/hamby.htm] }}

The Japanese sunk or damaged 400 American ships.<ref>http://www.amerisearch.net/index.php?date=2004-04-01&view=View</ref> The battle inflicted casualties of over 100,000 on the Japanese, many of them civilians<ref>http://www.peace-museum.pref.okinawa.jp/english/index.html</ref>.  

The Japanese sunk or damaged 400 American ships.<ref>http://www.amerisearch.net/index.php?date=2004-04-01&view=View</ref> The battle inflicted casualties of over 100,000 on the Japanese, many of them civilians.<ref>http://www.peace-museum.pref.okinawa.jp/english/index.html</ref>   

Modern Okinawa Prefecture now is a popular Japanese tourist destination.

Modern Okinawa Prefecture now is a popular Japanese tourist destination.

Okinawa is the home of [[karate]] which was developed by the islanders from ancient [[Chinese]] [[martial arts]] when they were forbidden to carry weapons by their Japanese overlords. <ref>. [http://www.all-karate.com/112/okinawa Early Karate History:Okinawa]</ref>.

Okinawa is the home of [[karate]] which was developed by the islanders from ancient [[Chinese]] [[martial arts]] when they were forbidden to carry weapons by their Japanese overlords.<ref>. [http://www.all-karate.com/112/okinawa Early Karate History:Okinawa]</ref>  

== See also ==

== See also ==

<references/>

<references/>

==External Links==

==External links==

*[http://www.niraikanai.wwma.net/index.html The Contemporary Okinawa Website]

*[http://www.niraikanai.wwma.net/index.html The Contemporary Okinawa Website]

*[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/okinawa-battle.htm Battle of Okinawa] at GlobalSecurity.org

*[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/okinawa-battle.htm Battle of Okinawa] at GlobalSecurity.org