16 March - By Corps order, the division left boundary was
changed to give the northern part of the 5th Marine Division zone
of action to the 3d Marine Division.  At 0715 elements of the 5th
Marine Division in the 3d Division zone of action were relieved
by the 1st and 2d Bns, 21st Marines, 1st Bn on the right,
preparatory to an aback by the 21st Marines to clear the division
zone of action of enemy resistance.  The 3d Bn, 21st Marines was
moved to a position in regimental reserve in the vicinity of RJ
322 (TA 218-I).  The 9th Marines were ordered o hold one
battalion in readiness to move on one hour's notice to support
the attack.  The 3d Bn, 9th Marines was designated.  The attack
was launched at 0815 after a twenty-minute preparation by the
division artillery which was lifted 100 yards at 0815 and
continued for another ten minutes.  For situation at 0815, se
Enclosure B (26), Situation at 0815, 16 March.  the 1st and 2d
Bns advanced steadily against scattered enemy resistance and by
1330 had reached the coastline and seized KITANO Point.  Mopping
up operations continued throughout the division zone of action
during the day and by 1345 the 2d Bn, 9th Marines had eliminated
the enemy pocket of resistance in TA 201-D.  At 1800 the
situation was as shown on Enclosure B (27), Situation at 1800, 16
march.  At the close of operations Corps declared all organized
resistance on IWO JIMA to have been eliminated.