When was flag raised on iwo jima

It has morphed into an all-purpose symbol of American military heroism, losing its original association with an overly optimistic narrative about the end of the war in the Pacific.

And maybe that is as it should be—the photo does accurately convey the bravery and sense of purpose of the flag-raisers. Kimble is a professor of communication at Seton Hall University. Contact us at letters time. Marines of the 28th Regiment, 5th Division, raise the American flag atop Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima, on Feb. By Matthew Pressman and James J. Related Stories. Already a print subscriber? Go here to link your subscription. Need help? Visit our Help Center. Join the conversation. But Rosenthal was just one of several cameramen on the island's Mount Suribachi that day.

Their images reveal the entire story behind the famous photo. They provide clues into the anger and ugly rumors over whether the Pulitzer Prize-winning photo was staged. Buell shared with CNN the inside story surrounding the photo. Read More. He decided to make the climb and see what was going on. But Sgt. Louis Lowery, a Marine photographer for Leatherneck magazine, had beat him to it. Lowery was already on the summit snapping photos of Marines proudly raising the American flag.

Photos: Iwo Jima battle scene. The first wave of Marines heads for the beach of Iwo Jima on February 19, In the face of enemy fire, Marines inch their way over the slope on Red Beach No.

In the foreground, other Marines huddle in shell holes as they wait for orders to move forward. Rudolph E. Engstrom rests in a shell hole on Iwo Jima, holding a piece of shrapnel that wounded him. Marines fire shells across the black sand of the Iwo Jima beach, taking aim at inland Japanese positions in US troops display captured Japanese battle flags.

US Marines take cover as a cave is blown up on Iwo Jima. Marines receive communion from a Marine chaplain on March 3, For miles around, the sight of Old Glory atop the mountain set off whistles, gunfire and celebrations. The noise stirred up a firefight with Japanese soldiers near the summit. Lowery dove for cover and fell 50 feet, smashing his camera. Lowery decided to descend the mountain to get new equipment. On the way, he ran into Rosenthal coming up with two Marines: Pfc.

Bob Campbell, who was also a photographer, and Sgt. William Genaust, who was a motion picture photographer. According to Buell, Lowery said, "Hey, you're late fellas, there's already a flag up there.

As Rosenthal got closer to the summit, the flag began to come into view. Rosenthal thought about all the bloody fighting and the Marines who sacrificed their lives to capture the mountain.

Reaching the top, Rosenthal, Campbell and Genaust spotted a group of Marines holding a second flag. The Marines said they'd been ordered to replace the first flag with a bigger one so more people could see it below. Another man in the iconic Iwo Jima photo was misidentified, Marine Corps says. Suddenly Rosenthal knew he had a second chance to photograph an important moment on the summit. Let's stop a minute and remember that this was long before today's sophisticated cameras and digital technology.

Photographers took one image at a time, often with only one opportunity to get the perfect shot. Rosenthal had to quickly decide whether to shoot both flags simultaneously -- one rising while the other lowered -- or to photograph the second flag as it was being raised.

He chose to focus on the second flag. Rosenthal's choice made all the difference. He explains what happened: "While the photographers were taking their positions to get the shot, Genaust -- the motion picture photographer -- asked Joe, "I'm not in your way, am I? Up came the flag.

For insurance, Rosenthal got 16 Marines and two Navy corpsmen to pose triumphantly around the flag. As Thurman, now 94, remembers it, the two had climbed the hill that morning, Hayes as part of the flag-raising unit, Thurman as a sniper to protect them.

But looking at it today in a sunny room of his Loveland, Colorado home, Thurman identifies himself as the Marine at extreme left, the one waving his helmet with youthful enthusiasm. As the first flag was hoisted, horns sounded from the invasion fleet, and soldiers fired their guns in the air. I knew it was all over! So many of us had been killed. We made it through. Thurman shared that optimism with his fellow Marines, but it was a false hope. The battle of Iwo Jima would rage for another month, claiming more than 26, American casualties, including 6, lives.

But through it all, the flag atop Suribachi snapped in the stiff Pacific trade winds. The sight inspired the Marines through every war-weary day—and night. Still standing.

The bombs bursting in air really did give proof through the night that our flag was still there. Two days after Rosenthal snapped his shots atop Suribachi, the Associated Press released his iconic image—a Pulitzer Prize-winning photo that, to many, seemed just too perfect.

Even after an inquiry by military officials and Life magazine editors concluded it was an authentic news picture, the rumor persisted. Here's how National Geographic spots fake pictures. As for Sgt.

But after the two men had an impromptu encounter at a Marine event years later, he changed his mind. All rights reserved. Was this iconic World War II photo staged? Here's the heroic true story. After five days of ferocious fighting, U. The acclaimed image won the Pulitzer Prize that same year. Share Tweet Email. Read This Next Wild parakeets have taken a liking to London. Animals Wild Cities Wild parakeets have taken a liking to London Love them or hate them, there's no denying their growing numbers have added an explosion of color to the city's streets.