“Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima” is one of the most iconic photographs of World War II. It captured a significant moment during the Battle of Iwo Jima. The image depicts six U.S. Marines raising an American flag atop Mount Suribachi.
It symbolizes triumph and the tremendous effort of American forces during the Pacific War. It became a powerful representation of courage, unity, and victory.
In 1945, the world was engulfed in the final stages of World War II. The Allies were advancing on all fronts against the Axis powers. In Europe, the Allies were closing in on Nazi Germany, and in the Pacific, the U.S. was intensifying its campaign against Japan.
The war had caused unprecedented global devastation. The victory at Iwo Jima was seen as a critical step toward ending the conflict in the Pacific. Domestically, Americans were weary of war but remained resolute in their support for the troops overseas.
The photograph was first published in Sunday newspapers on February 25, 1945, two days after it was taken.
It appeared in the “New York Times,” among others, and quickly spread to other publications, capturing the public’s imagination. It later appeared in “Life” magazine, which further cemented its iconic status.
Photographer: Joe Rosenthal.
Date: February 23, 1945.
Location: Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima, Japan.
Agency: Associated Press.
The image shows the second raising of the flag on Mount Suribachi. The first flag raised earlier that day was deemed too small to be seen from the nearby beaches, so a larger flag was hoisted later. Rosenthal, along with two other photographers, was present to capture this moment.
He took the famous photograph spontaneously, not realizing the impact it would have. The six Marines in the picture are Ira Hayes, Harold Schultz, Michael Strank, Franklin Sousley, Rene Gagnon, and Harlon Block.
The photograph quickly became a powerful symbol of American resolve and sacrifice. It inspired the public, boosted morale, and was used extensively in war bond drives.
Additionally, it won the Pulitzer Prize for Photography in 1945. Since then it has been reproduced countless times, as a postage stamp and as the model for the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.
The image remains a profound symbol of military service and sacrifice. It represents not just the individuals in the photograph but all those who served and contributed to the war effort. The photograph is a testament to the resilience and bravery of the U.S. Marines and is an enduring image of American history.
One lesser-known aspect of the “Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima” story is the involvement and fate of the flag raisers. Of the six men in the photograph—Harlon Block, Ira Hayes, Franklin Sousley, Michael Strank, Harold Schultz, and Rene Gagnon—three (Block, Sousley, and Strank) were killed in action before the battle ended. Their identities were initially misreported, leading to confusion and later corrections.
Additionally, the flag in the photograph was the second one raised that day. The first flag was smaller and less visible from the beaches below. When the larger flag was raised, Rosenthal was present and captured the iconic image. This second flag raising was prompted by Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal, who wanted the flag as a memento, thus necessitating the larger flag.
Another intriguing detail is that Joe Rosenthal’s photo was taken spontaneously and not meticulously composed. After snapping the picture, Rosenthal took additional posed shots of the Marines around the flag, which contributed to the misconception that the famous photograph was staged. Rosenthal himself faced this rumor throughout his life, though his integrity as a photojournalist was ultimately affirmed by those present at the event.
Full Name: Joseph John Rosenthal
Birth: October 9, 1911, in Washington, D.C., USA
Death: August 20, 2006, in Novato, California, USA
Joe Rosenthal, born in Washington, D.C. in 1911, developed an interest in photography as a teenager in San Francisco. He initially worked for the “San Francisco News” and later joined the Associated Press after being rejected by the U.S. Army due to poor eyesight. Rosenthal became a war correspondent and covered key battles in the Pacific during World War II.
His most iconic photograph, “Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima,” was taken on February 23, 1945. It captures six Marines hoisting the American flag atop Mount Suribachi. This spontaneous shot, taken with a Speed Graphic camera, quickly became a powerful symbol of American valor and unity. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Photography in 1945. Despite rumors of staging, eyewitnesses confirmed the moment’s authenticity.
After the war, Rosenthal continued his career with the “San Francisco Chronicle” until his retirement in 1981. Known for his humility, he always emphasized the bravery of the soldiers over his contributions. Rosenthal passed away in 2006, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and remind us of the human experiences during wartime.