The iconic Iwo Jima Flag Raising occurred on this day in 1945.


The iconic Iwo Jima Flag Raising occurred on this day in 1945. 

Of the men in the photograph Sergeant Michael Strank, Corporal Harlon Block, and Private First Class Franklin Sousley were all killed in action. The other three Marines in the photograph were Corporals (then Privates First Class) Ira Hayes, Harold Schultz, and Harold Keller. These men all served as members of the 5th Marine Division.

This flag raising was the second that occurred atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima towards the end of the Pacific War. This image quickly became the symbol of the resilience of the US Marines during WWII. The photo was taken by Joe Rosenthal.

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