JFK+50: Volume 7, No. 2229
MARINES RAISE AMERICAN FLAGS ON MOUNT SURIBACHI
Iwo Jima (JFK+50) During the Battle of Iwo Jima 72 years ago today, February 23, 1945, United States Marines captured the crest of the island's highest peak, Mount Suribachi and 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 and a few hours later a second flag raising was captured on film by AP photographer Joe Rosenthal who won 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.
MARINES RAISE AMERICAN FLAGS ON MOUNT SURIBACHI
Iwo Jima (JFK+50) During the Battle of Iwo Jima 72 years ago today, February 23, 1945, United States Marines captured the crest of the island's highest peak, Mount Suribachi and 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 and a few hours later a second flag raising was captured on film by AP photographer Joe Rosenthal who won 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.
United States Marine Corps Memorial
Photo by Aarian R. Rowan (2013)
www.defenseimagery.mil
