Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY

Seventy-four years ago today six Marines raised our flag on Mount Suribachi. Today we remember and honor the men in that photo and their comrades in arms. Over the next month these men would secure Iwo Jima island while taking some of the heaviest casualties of the war. These six flag raisers embody the sacrifices of the 16 million Americans who fought in World War II in the Pacific, North Africa and Europe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLCupx1UExg

autofocus Loc: North Central Connecticut

The island of Iwo Jima was the first Japanese soil invaded by Americans in WWII. Approximately 60,000 Americans and 20,000 Japanese participated in battle.The American flag raising on Mt. Suribachi took place on February 23, 1945, the fifth day of combat. The battle continued with increased intensity for a month more. Almost 7,000 Americans were killed in action at Iwo Jima, and more than 20,000 American casualties. Approximately one third of all Marines killed in action in WWII were killed at Iwo Jima making Iwo the battle with the highest number of casualties in Marine Corps history.

Sunnely Loc: Wisconsin

Hi Vince,

So solemn tribute. I didn't want to start a new thread to honor the Heroes of WW II. Please allow me to add my own tribute in your thread. The following is a tribute I created in honor of these Heroes. We thank them for their service to our country and ultimate sacrifice for our Flag and our Freedom. It's just one-minute tribute and salute to all the Heroes of WW II. Photos are from our recent visit to the City of Cape Coral, FL.

Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxCS6TNXosE&feature=youtu.be

Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY

Thanks for adding the City of Cape Coral tribute.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Saycheeze Loc: Ct

There is an Iwo Jima memorial in town that was built by the Iwo Jima Survivors Assn. sands from the beach at Iwo Jima are mixed into the concete at its base. I was lucky enough to be invited to their annual survivors luncheon on two occasions. Being among these men was a very moving experience and listening to them talk of their experiences was indescribable. One marine read the letter he wrote to his mother telling her he was sure he was going to die there and that he loved her. He was a machine gunner sent back from the front lines to rest and help dig graves. He was lucky enough to encounter a pilot who was able to take his letter and mail it for him.

whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

Very moving.

sjb3

From the Johnny Cash song a long time ago:

...Call him drunken Ira Hayes
He won't answer anymore
Not the whiskey drinkin' Indian
Nor the Marine that went to war...

...There they battled up Iwo Jima's hill,
Two hundred and fifty men
But only twenty-seven lived to walk back down again

And when the fight was over
And when Old Glory raised
Among the men who held it high
Was the Indian, Ira Hayes...

FrankR Loc: NYC

SEMPER FI!

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Many years ago it was told that there were two flag raisings. The first was a spontaneous act by three Marines. The second was a re-enactment for news cameras. I always liked the first one, but the second counts too.

Johanna Loc: Albuquerque, NM

I watched the FL UTube video. I can remember when that picture hit the news papers and Fox movie tone news. I guess I'm just an old sentimental babe. Where is the klenex, need to dry my eyes.

donrosshill Loc: Delaware & Florida

Thank you for the reminder !
Don

Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY

Your right, there were two flag raisings. The U.S. flag was first raised atop Mount Suribachi soon after the mountaintop was captured at around 10:20 on February 23, 1945. 1st Lt. Harold G. Schrier and two other Marines from 3rd Platoon, Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines took part in raising the first US flag after reaching the crest of Mt. Suribachi. This first flag, which was 54" by 28", was too small to be easily seen from the northern side of Mount Suribachi, where heavy fighting would go on for several more days.

The second flag, the one photographed by Joe Rosenthal, was a 96" by 56" flag, much larger than the first one. The second flag was raised a few hours later, around 12:30PM. Both the first and second flags were ordered to be raised by Lieutenant Colonel Chandler Johnson, the commander of the 2nd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division.

From all accounts that I have read, the second flag was ordered to be raised not as a re-enactment, but because the first flag was too small to be seen by the ships in the landing fleet, and other parts on the island.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Thanks for the clarification for the second raising.

malawibob Loc: South Carolina

I believe one of those flag raisers wa a Navy Corpman