Iwo Jima, The Story of Two Flag Raising’s (VIDEO)

Guns.com ^ | Feb 23, 2013 | Chris Callahan

[EXCH54FE]

In a September 17, 1947 letter, U.S. Marine Corp. Sgt. Lou Lowery wrote, “You fellows did all the dirty work and the ones who were on Rosenthal’s picture got all the credit.” The letter’s recipient, Pfc. Raymond Jacobs, was among the Marines who raised the first flag atop Iwo Jimo, which Lou Lowery photographed. However, it was a second flag raising that occurred moments later, caught on film by Joe Rosenthal, that would capture the world’s imagination. His Pulitzer Prize winning photograph would become one of the most iconic symbols of the American determination in World War II and immortalize its subjects in memories of Americans for generations to come.

As part of the original plan, Marines would secure Mount Suribachi first before advancing northeast throughout the island. After four days of fighting, on February 23, 1945 the first patrol was sent up the volcanic sands towards the top of Mount Suribachi. Finding little resistance, the patrol secured the highest point of Iwo Jima and the Marines called reinforcements to follow their lead. On the second patrol, Sgt. Lou Lowery, a United States Marine Corps photographer, accompanied the soldiers (from 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division, E and F Company) to the top of the volcano. With instructions from Lt. Colonel Chandler Johnson to raise a 48 star 54 x 28 inch American Flag, the patrol secured a Japanese water pipe and hoisted the first flag atop Iwo Jima. Celebration could be heard from the soldiers down on the beaches in unison with horns from ships on the water. Lou Lowery documented this:

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Lowery’s only regret was that the soldiers involved in the first flag raising over Iwo Jima were never properly recognized.

[PJ-Comix]

Lowery’s only regret was that the soldiers involved in the first flag raising over Iwo Jima were never properly recognized.

I thought they were Marines.

[gorush]

The “credit” that the second group got didn’t always turn out very well for them. “Flag of Our Fathers” by James Bradley and Ron Powers was a most excellent book on the subject.

[llevrok]

Before Rosenthal and Lowery, there was Marine Sgt Bill Genaust and his 16mm motion film camera.

Sadly, he lost his life on Iwo 9 days after the flag raising. He was trying to clear a cave. His body has never been recovered even after many attempts to find the location of the cave.

If you get a chance, look for info on Mr Genaust. A fascinating story.

http://www.angelfire.com/ca4/gunnyg/themanweleftbehind.html

[Portcall24]

This is well covered in one of the greatest books ever written. As one review says, “This book is not the best book I have ever read...it is the best book I will ever read.” Every reader of FR should know the name of the book without me saying.

[bunkerhill7]

Bernard Schryer, Chilson [Ticonderoga] NY, was one of the flag raisers on the first raising. We never forget Bernie -never.

[DocRock]