Posted on 02/23/2021 5:27:41 PM PST by PROCON
76 years ago today, Feb. 23, 1945, U.S. Marines raise the American Flag on Mount Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima.
The second flag to go up and the beginning of a long battle. 22,000 of theirs and around 10,000 of US. Sad way to spend the young men of nations.
Strongly recommend “The Sands of Iwo Jima”, starring John Wayne. The raising of the flag will give you permanent goose bumps.
Try “Flags of Our Fathers” by Bradley and “With the Old Breed” by Eugene Sledge. John Wayne got killed before Iwo Jima battle was a week old. Ira Hayes was one of the men raising the second flag in the photo.
I just lost my grandfather a few years back. He was there. Though he never really spoke about it much. My cousin spoke at his funeral. Most of us had never heard the story till then. They both shared something in common beyond lineage, they both wore the same uniform. The United States Marine Corp.
Still proud of you Grandpa. You made us all proud. God Bless you and all who served.
Agree, much better.
Btw, when they played taps at my Grandfathers funeral, they were firing from casings that he brought home from the war. Each of us grand kids served as paulbearers and we each were given one of the spent casings. Its been on my shelf ever since.
The first flag is in the Marine Corps museum. God bless all who serve and those that gave their all. I knew a man who landed at Iwo Jima on day 3. The only Marine I ever knew that survived it. Artillery man. Never talked about it. Out lived three wives and Iwo. Hell of a man. Your grandpa was too.
Thanks for sharing! You should be very proud of your Grandpa.
Today that would be considered racist, of course.
In the Sands of Iwo Jima movie, Sgt. Stryker (John Wayne) hands the flag over to three guys. Those guys were the actual flag raisers making a cameo appearance in the movie.
I didn’t know that but it’s not the flag in the picture. The second flag raising’s picture beat the first picture to the rear lines. It’s the picture everyone knows. Either way the island cost a hell of a lot of Marines. The real story beats the movie for what it really cost both sides.
My father wouldn’t talk much about the war, either. He enlisted in the Marines right after Pearl Harbor, as many men did - even though he was slightly over the age when he might have been drafted.
All the story I know comes from his mother, my Grandmother, that he was ‘at’ Iwo. I gathered later that he was on some kind of ship that lent support.
History Channel has been showing “The Pacific” (2010) the last 3 Saturdays. This coming Saturday will be episodes 7 & 8 which includes the Battle of Iwo Jima and John Basilone.
We all thank your family for their service.
I think it was the last war with a clearly defined purpose, a beginning and obvious end.
I have read a lot and interviewed men who had fought in wars.
They never want to talk about it.
Thank you for the tip!
This may be of interest to you.
Great picture.
Brave men, all of them. Sad stories for a couple of the flag raisers afterwards.
I recommend everyone read about the Battle of Buna if you get a chance, and have the interest.
Well, I know that my father’s generation seemed to almost have a pact about ‘not talking’.
But I’ve often wished he he had told us more about it. My father was pretty much the ‘strong, silent’ type to start with, and died when I was only 20 and just getting to the age where I might have understood more and been able to ask good questions. I would have liked to know more of his ‘insides’.
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