The iconic flag raising on Mt Suribachi
Joe Rosenthal almost missed the shot. The Associated Press photographer climbed Mount Suribachi just as Marines were raising a second, larger flag on February 23, 1945. His quick snap became the most famous war photo ever taken.
But the real story started four days earlier when 30,000 Marines hit Iwo Jima’s black beaches, facing an enemy dug deep into volcanic rock. Nearly 7,000 Americans died in 36 days of hell.
Here’s the full story behind that iconic image.
Marines Cut Off the Volcano
The 28th Regiment cut off Mount Suribachi from the rest of Iwo Jima by February 22, trapping Japanese defenders in the 550-foot volcano.
Enemy troops had carved gun positions into the slopes and dug deep tunnel networks throughout the mountain.
Marines fought through 15-foot walls of black volcanic ash while Japanese artillery pounded them from above.
Lieutenant Colonel Johnson studied Suribachi’s defenses and planned his assault.
Johnson’s Scouts Found a Weakness
Lieutenant Colonel Johnson sent two small patrols up Suribachi’s north face at first light on February 23.
The scouts expected fierce resistance but found fewer Japanese defenders than anyone imagined. They climbed to the summit and back down, reporting that the routes looked clear for a full assault.
Cold wind and rain made the climb miserable, but the news was good.
Schrier’s Team Carried the Flag
Johnson ordered Easy Company’s Captain Dave Severance to take the summit.
Lieutenant Harold Schrier led the patrol carrying a small American flag from the USS Missoula. The Marines climbed carefully up the volcanic slopes, weapons ready for ambush.
When they reached the crater rim, scattered Japanese defenders put up little fight.
The First Flag Went Up
Schrier’s men planted their flag atop Suribachi around 10:30 a.m.
Staff Sergeant Louis Lowery was there with his camera when the Stars and Stripes snapped in the morning breeze.
Japanese snipers immediately opened fire on the flagpole, sending Lowery and the Marines diving for cover.
The small banner was up, but barely visible from the beaches below.
Navy Celebrated with Victory Horns
Every ship offshore blew its horn when the flag appeared on Suribachi’s peak.
Cheers erupted from Marines on the beaches and sailors watching from 450 vessels anchored around the island.
For 30,000 Americans fighting on black volcanic sand, that flag meant they’d taken Japanese territory. Japanese gunners started targeting the flagpole immediately, knowing its value to American morale.
Johnson Wanted Everyone to See
The colonel decided the first flag was too small. He wanted every American on Iwo Jima’s eight square miles to see their colors flying over enemy ground.
Lieutenant Albert Tuttle found a massive 96-by-56-inch flag aboard the USS LST-779 and brought it ashore.
Johnson ordered the replacement mission while Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal watched from offshore.
Rosenthal Raced to Catch Up
Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal had missed the first flag raising while climbing the mountain.
He reached the summit as Marines prepared to raise the replacement flag.
Marine Sergeant Bill Genaust was filming when he asked Rosenthal about camera angles. Rosenthal turned to answer just as the Marines started lifting the heavy flagpole.
Wind Fought the Flag Raisers
Six Marines struggled against stiff wind to raise the heavy pole in the early afternoon.
Rosenthal snapped his picture without looking through the viewfinder because everything happened so fast.
The Marines lowered the original flag as the bigger one went up. The moment lasted seconds, but Rosenthal caught them straining together against the weight.
America Saw the Photo Instantly
Rosenthal’s image hit Sunday newspapers two days later and spread to thousands of publications.
The picture won the 1945 Pulitzer Prize and became one of World War II’s most famous photographs. The government printed 3.5 million copies for war bond drives.
Back home, Americans saw six Marines fighting to raise their flag over enemy territory.
The Price Kept Climbing
Three flag raisers never survived the battle: Sergeant Strank, Corporal Block, and Private Sousley died in fighting that continued for weeks.
The flag raising didn’t end anything. Marines fought for 31 more brutal days before Iwo Jima was declared secure on March 26.
More than 6,000 Americans died and 17,000 were wounded across eight square miles of volcanic rock.
Visit the Iwo Jima Exhibit
You can see both flags raised on Mount Suribachi at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Virginia.
The World War II gallery displays the actual flag from Rosenthal’s famous photograph plus the smaller first flag. You’ll find an immersive Higgins boat simulator that briefs you on the assault before boarding.
A powerful display shows 6,000 insignias representing every Marine and sailor killed taking the island. Free admission daily 9am-5pm.
This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.
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