John ‘Jack’ Cassidy, World War II and Navy veteran reaches out to shake someone’s hand before a wreath laying ceremony in honor of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa at the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. on April 1, 2015. On April 1, 1945, allied forces invaded the island of Okinawa. The battle lasted 82 days amassed high totals of allied, japanese and civilian casualties. - John ‘Jack’ Cassidy, World War II and Navy veteran reaches out to shake someone’s hand before a wreath laying ceremony in honor of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa at the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. on April 1, 2015. On April 1, 1945, allied forces invaded the island of Okinawa. The battle lasted 82 days amassed high totals of allied, Japanese and civilian casualties.