Iwo Jima Remembered

Posted By Blackfive

"Holland, the raising of that flag on Suribachi means a Marine Corps for the next 500 years."  - Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal upon seeing the Rosenthal photograph

On the morning of February 19, 1945, 70,000 US Marines invaded Iwo Jima.  The fighting was fierce.  Intelligence had made a significant error about the size of the Japanese force on the island.

During the early hours of February 23rd, Marines all over Iwo Jima were thrilled by the sight of a small American flag flying from atop Mount Suribachi. Later that day, a larger flag was raised by five Marines and a Navy Hospital Corpsman: Sgt. Michael Strank, Cpl. Harlon H. Block, Pfc. Franklin R. Sousley, Pfc. Rene A. Gagnon, Pfc. Ira Hayes, and PhM. 2/c John H. Bradley, USN.

News-photographer Joe Rosenthal caught the afternoon flag raising in an inspiring Pulitzer Prize winning photograph.

Three of the men would die in later battles on Iwo Jima and join over 6,800 of their brothers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Iwo Jima, one of the most hard-fought battles in the war, is also commonly remembered by quoting Admiral Chester Nimitz, "Among the Americans serving on Iwo island, uncommon valor was a common virtue."

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» Iwo Jima - 60 Years from Technicalities
Today is the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle for Iwo Jima. One of my uncles was there, in the Navy, his job was to drive the landing craft back and forth between one of the ships and... [Read More]

Comments

[Indigo]

Semper Fi!

[Rosemary]

This is very moving. I shudder to think what would have happened if we had not the tenacity to carry our flag on to victory. I know that was then...I pray that is also now. I know our men in the field have the grit. That is not what I mean.

Since when did we have girlie men on top running the show? I just wrote another article about 2nd Lt. Ilario Pantano. He is a hero in my book. Just as everyone who stands with him.

[lawhawk]

One person who doesn't get enough credit for his work to show the flag raisings was Staff Sgt. Bill Genaust, who shot a movie of the second flag raising, alongside Joe Rosenthal. His name was not publicly known because of military regulations attached to film, which strangely enough did not prohibit bylines for still photographs. Thus, we knew of Joe Rosenthal almost immediately, but Genaust's name was buried in history.

Genaust did not live to see the movie of the flag raising developed. He died nine days after the flag raising and is buried in a cave on Iwo Jima, because retrieving his body was thought to be too dangerous because of unexploded munitions.

http://www.parade.com/aol/mediarelations/press_releases/release.html

[Steve Skubinna]

Oh no, there go those jingoistic knee jerk so called "patriotic" Marines again! I bet they never, not for even a second, considered how hurtful and insensitive that flag raising was to the Japanese.

I bet not one of them - NOT ONE!!!! - even took the time to ask "why do they hate us?"

And how many of these putative "heroes" even thought about fragging their officers or deserting? Okay, Canada hadn't reached enlightenment at that time, and was actually participating in Churchill and FDR's illegal and immoral war, so running north to Nelson wasn't an option. But they could have found a church in Berkely or Ann Arbor to take sanctuary in.

Really, it makes one weep into one's soy latte. I'd love to kick some sense into them with my Birkenstocks. Maybe then they'd realize that violence never solves anything.

[night heron]

One of the greatesy moments is history when the flag was raised and to think they would fight and die for a bunch of low-life scum who would burn that same flag we should burn the 70s chicken footprint peace symbol

[Justine Van Hausen]

It is a very nice posed picture that captures the spirit of the day. It is a posed picture of history none the less. Let us not forget, so that the soldiers who made their sacrifice will not be remembered only for the image of a false raising of the flag for the camera, but the reality of their fight.

[Dean]

Check out Flags of our Fathers by James Bradley for the complete story behind the flag-raising. Bradley's father was 2/c John H. Bradley, USN.

An amazing book about an amazing group.

[Dean]

Check out Flags of our Fathers by James Bradley for the complete story behind the flag-raising. Bradley's father was 2/c John H. Bradley, USN, who helped raise the flag and is pictured above.

An amazing book about an amazing group.

[linc]

I sit at my computer thinking thank the Lord for every thing he has done and he has Blessed the US by protecting us America Bless God.

[John Vess]

I visited Iwo Jima this year (2005) Memorial to my wife's brother (Jake Lindsey) who was killed Feb 28/45.
He was with the 3rd Marines 21st Reg.
All were heroes..but the real VIP's were the men who left their blood at Iwo.
God Bless their sacrifice and memory.
"One man's sacrifice instills courage and character on a family for generations"

[John]

Does anyone know if there is a list out, of those Marines who have died on Iwo Jima? I know the name of a sister that has since died of a marine that died on Iwo jima, but am having trouble finding out who her brother is. I might have some leads, but it would be nice if there was a name list of all those who have died there. I have this Marines medals, including his purple heart, and would just like to know who he is and about him.

[RedRyder]

There is a list of Marines killed at Iwo Jima at : http://www.geocities.com/mbackstr2000/dead/dead.htm. Too those who don't get it, they died for what they believed in so we could have the freedom we've enjoyed for almost 60 years. Proof that Freedom ain't free. Those that don't believe are doomed to repeat it.

Red Ryder