Today marks the day that the United States Flag was raised on Mt. Surabachi on Iwo Jima, Japanese Territories, during the battle for that island in World War II in 1945.

Joe Rosenthal, an AP photographer, has been credited with the iconic photograph that has defined the spirit of the Marine Corps since then; it has also been turned into the Marine Corps Memorial in Washington DC.

The Photograph as taken was composed in landscape mode, and snapped as a reflex to what was going on, according to accounts by Rosenthal and others:

The flag raisers are (left to right) Ira Hayes, Franklin Sousley, John Bradley and Harlon Block, Michael Strank (behind Sousley) and Rene Gagnon (behind Bradley). Strank, Block and Sousley would die shortly afterwards. Bradley, Hayes and Gagnon became national heroes within weeks. Bradley managed to put his life back together, Gagnon was dealing with memories the rest of his life, and Ira Hayes could not process his actions against the reaction of the public – he ended up drinking himself to death, lamenting the loss of so many men on Iwo Jima and him being treated as the “Hero” by public and press alike.

An AP photo editor cropped the image and it became a rally point for the US:

Shortly after “THE” photo was snapped, a picture was taken to commemorate the occasion:

This is the picture Rosenthal was thinking of when asked if the Iwo Jima Flag picture was posed. You see, Joe was still on the island, and had not seen the edited version that was already being published across the United States.

And yes, the Rosenthal picture is the second flag to be raised on Surabachi. That fact was never hidden, but the press didn’t think that told the story strongly enough. No foreshadowing here, folks. No snarky remarks about how improved and less manipulative the media has become.

The first flag raisers were Hank Hansen (without helmet), Boots Thomas (seated), John Bradley (behind Thomas) Phil Ward (hand visible grasping pole), Jim Michaels (with carbine) and Chuck Lindberg (behind Michaels). Photo by Lou Lowery 1000hrs 23FEB1945.

On this day, let us remember all those who served and lost that day.

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On this day, in 1945, Mt. Surabachi on the island of Iwo Jima was captured and held by forces from the United States Marines. The second raising of the US flag generated this memorable photograph for Joe Rosenthal, to be a point of inspiration for the entire country:

I am on the tail end of a round of antibiotics (Z-pak is my friend!) and the resultant coughing up of a lung on a constant basis makes sleep difficult and muscles sore from the coughing. I’m going to go sit quietly until MEG wakes up.

Chat ya later…

Thank you for stopping by, In GOD We Trust, God bless you all, Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

Two hundred and thirty three years ago, the United States Marines Corps was founded in Tun Tavern. From the initial mission of guarding the sailing ships of the fledgling United States Navy to the current mission of being an elite, multi-environment superior fighting force, the United States Marine Corps has proven time and again that they are the best.

To all Marines everywhere: Happy Birthday. If you are away, come home safely and victoriously. If you are home, Welcome Home.

Bob Parsons, the founder and CEO of GoDaddy.com, shares a birthday card with all of us. Happy Birthday back, Bob. Thank you for your service, and welcome home.

Thank you for stopping by, In GOD We Trust, God bless you all, listen to The O Word on BlogTalkRadio, Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

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