Salute!
Posted on 02/04/2008 12:13:16 PM PST by NormsRevenge
REDDING, Calif. - Raymond Jacobs, believed to be the last surviving member of the group of Marines photographed during the original U.S. flag-raising on Iwo Jima during World War II, has died at age 82.
Jacobs died Jan. 29 of natural causes at a Redding hospital, his daughter, Nancy Jacobs, told The Associated Press.
Jacobs had spent his later years working to prove that he was the radio operator photographed looking up at an American flag as it was being raised by other Marines on Mount Suribachi on Feb. 23, 1945.
Newspaper accounts from the time show he was on the mountain during the initial raising of a smaller American flag, though he had returned to his unit by the time the more famous AP photograph was taken of a second flag-raising later the same day.
The radioman's face isn't fully visible in the first photograph taken of the first flag-raising by Lou Lowery, a photographer for Leatherneck magazine, leading some veterans to question Jacobs' claim. However, other negatives from the same roll of film show the radioman is Jacobs, said retired Col. Walt Ford, editor of Leatherneck.
"It's clearly a front-on face shot of Ray Jacobs," Ford said.
Annette Amerman, a historian with the Marine Corps History Division, said in an e-mailed statement "there are many that believe" Jacobs was the radioman. "However, there are no official records produced at the time that can prove or refute Mr. Jacobs' location."
Jacobs was honorably discharged in 1946. He was called up during the Korean conflict in 1951 before retiring as a sergeant, his daughter said.
Jacobs retired in 1992 from KTVU-TV in Oakland, where he worked 34 years as a reporter, anchor and news director.
RIP
bump
PRESENT ARMS
Thank you for your service sir!
Salute!
RIP
I always heard a saying about Iwo Vets. An Iwo vet is not afraid of going to hell because he’s already been there. RIP.
Rest in Peace Brother! Join Chesty on post, [you have earned it during your time[s] in he!!
If the Army & the Navy ever looks upon Heavens scenes, They’ll find the streets gaurded by
UNITED STATES MARINES!
On to the streets of Heaven!
Lowery's most widely circulated picture of the first flag raising. This picture is usually captioned as: 1st Lt. Harold G. Schrier with Platoon Sergeant Ernest I. Thomas, Jr. (both seated), PFC James Michels (in foreground with rifle), Sergeant Henry O. Hansen (standing, wearing soft cap), Corporal Charles W. Lindberg (standing, extreme right), on Mount Suribachi at the first flag raising. However, PFC Raymond Jacobs disputes these identifications[2], asserting that it should be: Pfc James Robeson (lower left corner), Lt. Harold Schrier (sitting behind my legs), Pfc Raymond Jacobs (carrying radio), Sgt. Henry Hansen (cloth cap), unknown (lower hand on pole), Sgt Ernest Thomas (back to camera), Phm2c John Bradley (helmet above Thomas), Pfc James Michels (with carbine), Cpl Charles Lindberg (above Michels).
(From Wikipedia)
Sad.
Hand Salute.................two
Related:
If you’re in the DC area, definitely DO go to the Marine Corps Museum at Quantico. They have a wonderful treatment of this battle.
You should email this article to the Berkeley mayor & city council members since they apparently were never taught Marine Corps history where they went to school.
All paid some. Some paid all.
Never Forget.
Freedom is not free.
Semper Fi,
Kelly
"Manila John" Basilone won the Navy Cross and Conressional Medal of Honor, (the only Marine to win both of these medals). He served and won his Medal of Honor on Guadacanal and was sent stateside to raise funds for the war by touring the country and selling war bonds. He got "bored" and wanted to return to be with the fighting Marines!! He got his way and went in on the first wave at Iwo Jima. Once inland he gathered his squad and yelled to them to take the high ground. An artillery shell exploded at his feet and he was never seem again because he was blown to pieces. All those gallant men deserve ou honor as well as those who serve today.
Hoo Hah!
Ping.
One of the most touching photos in history.
God bless America.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.