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Sunday, February 23, 2014

U.S. FLAG RAISED ON MT. SURIBACHI

MARINES RAISE FLAGS ON MOUNT SURIBACHI

Iwo Jima (JFK+50) During the Battle of Iwo Jima 69 years ago today, February 23, 1945, United States Marines captured the crest of the island's highest peak, Mount Suribachi.

Two groups of Marines, of the 3rd platoon, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Division, raised a pair of American flags at the top.  

The first flag raisers were photographed by Louis Lowery.

A few hours later a second flag raising was captured on film by AP photographer Joe Rosenthal.




"Iwo Jima"
U.S. Postage Stamp

Rosenthal would win the Pulitzer Prize for his famous photograph which was to become the model for the US Marine Corps War Memorial.

The War Memorial, located near Rosslyn, Virginia, was dedicated in 1954. 

President John F. Kennedy issued a proclamation in 1961 which provides for the American Flag to fly from the memorial 24 hours a day.

The US Marine Corps War Memorial honors all Marines who have died in battle since 1775.

On the base of the memorial is a quote from Admiral Chester Nimitz who honored the American Marines on Iwo Jima:

"Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue"

The six flag raisers who are depicted in the memorial include...

Ira Hayes
Franklin Sousley
John Bradley
Harlon Block
Michael Strank 
Rene Gagnon.

Block, Sousley and Strank were killed on Iwo shortly after the flag raising. 

The three survivors quickly became national heroes.




POLIO VACCINE GIVEN TO SCHOOL CHILDREN 60 YEARS AGO TODAY

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (JFK+50) The first polio vaccine, developed by Dr. Jonas Salk, was administered sixty years ago today, February 22, 1954, to children at the Arsenal Elementary School here in Pittsburgh.



Dr. Jonas Salk

After mass inoculations were begun, four million polio shots were given in the United States by August 1955.