U.S. Marine Corps Memorial, "Iwo Jima"

• Origins
• The Photograph
• U.S. Marine Corps Memorial "Iwo Jima" Official Web site

Origins

On February 19, 1945, the United States Marines landed on the small but strategic volcanic island of Iwo Jima. The U.S. sent more Marines to Iwo than to any other battle, 110,000 Marines in 880 ships. Resistance was intense and continued for 36 days. An incredible 27 Medals of Honor were awarded for heroic actions on Iwo Jima, a measure of valor unprecedented in American military history. After intense fighting, at about 10:30 a.m. on February 23, 1945, men all over the tiny island were thrilled by the sight of a small American flag flying at the top of Mt. Suribachi. That afternoon, when the slopes were clear of enemy resistance, five marines and a Navy hospital corpsman raised a second, larger flag. The raising of that flag became the model for the memorial located just outside the northern entrance to Arlington National Cemetery. While the statue depicts one of the most famous incidents of World War II, the memorial is dedicated to all Marines who have given their lives in the defense of the United States since 1775.

The Photograph

Flagraising at Iwo Jima Defense Department Photo/ Marine Corps/AP Rosenthal

It has been called the greatest photograph of all time. It was used on a postage stamp and on the cover of countless newspapers and magazines. On February 23, 1945, Associated Press cameraman, Joe Rosenthal heard that a flag was being raised atop Mount Suribachi. Lugging his bulky Speed Graphic camera he started for the top. About halfway up, he met Marines coming down, including a photographer for Leatherneck magazine who said the flag had already been raised. Shortly thereafter, Marine commanders decided, for reasons still clouded in controversy, to replace it with a larger flag. Rosenthal was present when the second flag went up and had the opportunity to snap one picture of the soldiers raising the flag – PFC Ira Hayes, PFC Franklin Sousley, PFC Michael Strank, Pharmacist’s Mate John Bradley, PFC Rene Gagnon, and Corporal Harlan Block. The photo was processed, edited and sent by radio transmission from Guam. The famous shot became a Pulitzer Prize-winning photo.