What battle had the highest casualty rate in Marine Corps history?

The battle that had the highest casualty rate in Marine Corps history is the Battle of Iwo Jima. This significant conflict took place during World War II in February and March of 1945 and involved fierce fighting between U.S. forces and the Japanese army. The strategic objective was to capture the island, which was critical for the U.S. as an airbase for operations against Japan.

During the battle, U.S. Marines faced extremely well-fortified Japanese positions, leading to intense and brutal combat. The American forces incurred approximately 26,000 casualties, including dead and wounded, while the Japanese forces suffered even greater losses with nearly their entire garrison of around 21,000 troops killed. The casualty rate reflects the ferocity of the engagement and the significant challenges faced by Marines in overcoming Japanese defenses.

This context highlights the specific nature of Iwo Jima as a pivotal and costly battle for Marines, leading it to have the highest casualty rate in their history. Other options, such as the Battle of Normandy, the Battle of Midway, and the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, while significant in their own right, do not match the extreme casualty figures recorded during Iwo Jima.