Source: U.S. Army, 1946
Source: U.S. Army, 1946
Title: The 96th Infantry Division "Deadeyes" — Forgotten Heroes of Okinawa
Tank #13 Under Fire - The 96th Infantry's Okinawan Hell
The moment of impact as M4 Sherman tank #13 of the 763rd Tank Battalion takes incoming fire while 96th Infantry Division soldiers brace for the explosion, Okinawa, April 1945. This brings to life the deadly reality of the "Deadeyes'" 82-day battle against Japan's most sophisticated defense system. The tropical setting belies the brutal combat that would claim more Army lives than any other Pacific campaign.
The Battle of Okinawa was the final and bloodiest major battle of the Pacific Theater. Often overshadowed by the more publicized contributions of the U.S. Marines, the U.S. Army’s 96th Infantry Division played a central role in breaking the back of the Japanese defense. Known as the "Deadeyes," the men of the 96th endured 82 grueling days of combat, suffering heavy casualties while demonstrating tactical innovation and indomitable spirit. Yet their story remains largely untold outside military circles.
By the Numbers: - 82 Days of unrelenting combat - 9,497 Total Battle Casualties: including 2,203 killed and 7,294 wounded (across Leyte and Okinawa) - 23 Medals of Honor awarded—among the highest for any division in World War II
Source: U.S. Army Center of Military History, WWII Divisional Records
This article explores the 96th Infantry Division's path from amphibious assault to final victory, highlighting their coordination with armored units, the savage terrain, the determined Japanese resistance, and the legacy that history has too often overlooked. the final and bloodiest major battle of the Pacific Theater. Often overshadowed by the more publicized contributions of the U.S. Marines, the U.S. Army’s 96th Infantry Division played a central role in breaking the back of the Japanese defense. Known as the "Deadeyes," the men of the 96th endured 82 grueling days of combat, suffering heavy casualties while demonstrating tactical innovation and indomitable spirit. Yet their story remains largely untold outside military circles.
By the Numbers: - 82 Days of unrelenting combat - 7,000+ Casualties: including 1,472 killed and 5,666 wounded - 23 Medals of Honor awarded—among the highest for any division in World War II
This article explores the 96th Infantry Division's path from amphibious assault to final victory, highlighting their coordination with armored units, the savage terrain, the determined Japanese resistance, and the legacy that history has too often overlooked.
Activated in 1942 and trained in desert and jungle warfare, the 96th Infantry Division deployed to the Pacific in 1944. Their baptism of fire came during the Battle of Leyte in the Philippines, where they supported the 7th Infantry Division in securing the island. But Okinawa would be their true trial by fire.
On April 1, 1945—Easter Sunday—the Deadeyes landed on Okinawa’s Hagushi beaches as part of XXIV Corps. Initial landings met minimal resistance, but it was a tactical feint. Within days, the 96th faced the Japanese 32nd Army's ferocious defenses: miles of interlocking caves, pillboxes, and reverse-slope fortifications designed to bleed American forces dry.
The 96th Infantry Division's primary objective was to break through the Shuri Line, the main Japanese defensive belt anchored by the formidable Maeda Escarpment. Known later as "Sugar Loaf Hill," this terrain feature became synonymous with agony.
Progress was measured in yards. Japanese defenders employed coordinated machine gun fire, kamikaze attacks, and nighttime infiltration tactics. Rain turned the battlefield to mud, and decomposing bodies fouled the air. Morale was tested daily, but the Deadeyes adapted.
One major breakthrough was their evolving use of combined arms. Infantry squads operated closely with M4 Sherman tanks of the 763rd Tank Battalion, using flamethrowers and satchel charges to clear pillboxes while armor provided direct fire support. This infantry-tank coordination became a model for urban and fortified terrain warfare.
By June 22, when Okinawa was declared secure, the 96th Infantry Division had lost over 7,000 men—1,472 killed and over 5,000 wounded. They had faced fanatical banzai charges, suicidal bunker defenders, and unrelenting artillery. Yet despite their losses, they captured more ground and neutralized more enemy positions than most Marine units on the island.
Their valor was unmatched. The 96th received 23 Medals of Honor—a staggering number that underscores the intensity of their combat. PFC Clarence Craft, for instance, singlehandedly assaulted and cleared five enemy positions during the battle for Hen Hill, a key feature near Conical Hill. His actions saved his company and exemplified the Deadeye spirit.
The 96th Infantry Division was deactivated shortly after the war and never reactivated. Unlike the 1st or 101st Airborne Divisions, it left no lasting institutional legacy in the modern U.S. Army. Its veterans returned home quietly, and their division faded from public memory.
Yet their contribution to victory in the Pacific cannot be overstated. Okinawa was the costliest ground battle for the Army in the Pacific—and the Deadeyes were on the front lines every day. Their courage, tactical adaptation, and perseverance deserve recognition in every military history classroom and museum.
The Deadeyes' fight on Okinawa wasn't just a battle—it was a crucible that tested the limits of human endurance and tactical ingenuity. For 82 days, under fire from an entrenched and determined enemy, they pushed forward.
History often forgets the soldiers who did not return with fanfare or fame. This article aims to correct that. The men of the 96th Infantry Division were among the finest soldiers to wear the uniform. They broke Japan's strongest line of defense. They paid the highest cost.
They were, and always will be, the Deadeyes.