On this day in history: Marines raise flag over Iwo Jima
On February 23, 1945, a group of six Marines embarked on a mission that would ultimately lead to one of the most iconic photographs in American history. These Marines, fighting on the island of Iwo Jima, scaled Mount Suribachi and worked together to hoist an American flag, a moment that was captured by military photographers and later became a lasting symbol of the Allied victory in World War II.
The Marines had landed on Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945, as part of the U.S. island-hopping campaign in the Pacific. It took them four days of intense fighting to reach the summit of Suribachi, a 554-foot hill that provided a strategic vantage point for Japanese defenders. The capture of Suribachi helped suppress enemy fire and paved the way for further advances on the island.
The battle for Iwo Jima raged on until March 26, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides. Approximately 27,000 Marines and sailors were either injured or killed, while an estimated 21,000 Japanese soldiers lost their lives defending the island’s network of caves, tunnels, and pillboxes.
Despite the brutal nature of the fighting, it was the image of the flag-raising on Mount Suribachi that became the enduring symbol of the battle. The photograph spread rapidly around the world and served as a powerful recruiting and morale-boosting tool for the U.S. government. In fact, the photo was featured on a war-bond poster that helped raise an incredible $26 billion in 1945.
While there has been ongoing debate about the identities of the Marines in the photo, recent research points to Pfc. Ira Hayes, Pfc. Harold Schultz, Sgt. Michael Strank, Pfc. Franklin Sousley, Pfc. Harold Keller, and Cpl. Harlon Block as the men depicted in the iconic image. Tragically, Block, Sousley, and Strank were later killed in the fighting on Iwo Jima.
The image of the flag-raising has stood the test of time, appearing on postage stamps and memorialized in a monument just north of Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. This powerful symbol of American resilience and victory continues to inspire generations of Americans.
In conclusion, the flag-raising on Mount Suribachi remains a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during World War II and the enduring spirit of the American military. The bravery and camaraderie displayed by those six Marines on that fateful day in 1945 will forever be etched in the annals of history.
