The Flag Raising of Iwo Jima

The Flag Raising of Iwo Jima
|Updated:

This month is the 76th anniversary of the Marine Corps’ landing on the Japanese-held island of Iwo Jima. It is also the anniversary of the most famous photograph of World War II, and perhaps the most famous photograph in history. And it has been, perhaps, the most controversial photograph of modern times. It is the photo of “The Flag Raising of Iwo Jima.”

In August 1958, on my way home from the Far East, I met the photographer of that iconic photo, Joe Rosenthal, at the Marine Memorial Club in San Francisco. It’s still there. He looked like just a lonely old man (he was 46, while I had just turned 20), sitting alone at the bar. Engaging him in conversation, I discovered who he was. Somewhat in awe, I attempted to present an air of being a tough Marine Corporal, something this 20-year-old failed to accomplish; none-the-less, he talked to me for the length of a beer or two, discussing mostly his photo events on Guam and Peleliu. When I asked about the flag-raising on Iwo, he said he didn’t want to talk about it. I didn’t understand why, but he had bought my beer, so we continued chatting for a while longer. Then, I departed and continued my journey from Japan, via Treasure Island, toward my home for a short stay before reporting to my next duty station. In the intervening years since that encounter, I have learned many details about Joe, and that flag-raising. It is an amazing story.

Related Topics