I thought this was hashed out in 1945. One of the Marines was misidentified, but they figured it out and the right Marine was given credit.
Posted on 05/02/2016 4:18:14 PM PDT by jazusamo
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Marine Corps says it has begun investigating whether it mistakenly identified one of the men shown raising the U.S. flag at Iwo Jima in one of the iconic images of World War II after two amateur history buffs began raising questions about the picture.
The Marines announced its inquiry more than a year after Eric Krelle, of Omaha, Nebraska, and Stephen Foley, of Wexford, Ireland, began raising doubts about the identity of one man. In November 2014, the Omaha World-Herald published an extensive story about their claims and Saturday was the first to report the Marines were looking into the matter.
Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal shot the photo on Feb. 23, 1945, on Mount Suribachi, amid an intense battle with the Japanese. Rosenthal didn’t get the names of the men, but the photo immediately was celebrated in the U.S. and President Franklin Roosevelt told the military to identify the men.
After some confusion, the Marines identified the men as John Bradley, Rene Gagnon, Ira Hayes, Harlon Block, Michael Strank and Franklin Sousley. All were Marines except Bradley, who was a Navy corpsman.
Block, Strank and Sousley were killed in fighting at Iwo Jima before the photo was distributed in the U.S.
On Monday, the Marines issued a statement saying, “The Marine Corps is examining information provided by a private organization related (to) Joe Rosenthal’s Associated Press photograph of the second flag raising on Iwo Jima.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
His story being written now. Old eye witness protection plan let them die.
If true, probably for a number of complex reasons. I couldn't tell you who's who in that photo, for one thing. If anyone were to come out and say they were in that photo years ago, how would they prove it? Especially after the US Marine Corps told the world who was in that photo? Who, even with the truth on their side, would dare challenge them without ironclad proof? And it might not be enough to prove that they were in the photo. They'd be expected to out the guy who wasn't in it, too, and that would be another burden of proof.
But imagine if, too, after the end of 50 years, they could look back and say it was more than enough honor for one man to be a US Marine, who fought on Iwo Jima (and had proof enough of that), didn't let his buddies down, made it home to live a good life in the greatest nation on earth, and didn't have to make a big deal about it afterwards.
My thoughts about it which you touched on is those Marines and one sailor were representative of all those who fought and sacrificed much, some sacrificed all for our country.
In my view it should be left at that and that this investigation is not needed.
IMHO, those who are worried about WHO is in the photo missed the point of the entire damned photo!
I thought this was hashed out in 1945. One of the Marines was misidentified, but they figured it out and the right Marine was given credit.
You’re thinking of Harlon Block - the guy at the base of the flag pole. It did take them awhile to sort that out.
I didn’t know that but your word is good with me.
Semper Fi
Probably a Muslim.
Thanks for linking.
I always remember Marine Ira Hayes because of the song Johnny Cash wrote and sang in tribute to him.
Semper Fi, Ira Hayes.
According to biographer Robert Caro, LBJ was the only member of Congress not to give up his seat when he enlisted.
MacArthur took notice, and arranged for LBJ to get a Silver Star for going along on a bombing mission as an observer, the general figuring that the military was going to need friends once the hostilities ceased, and pegged LBJ as such a vain medal "winner", and as an abject politician that would have to be dragged dead, from office.
You'll note that LBJ almost always wore the ribbon for his Silver Star.
Don't know what the actual bomber crews got for that same mission...
If one of the Marines was not identified and you ask why wouldn’t he come forward. He could have been killed an hour later.
yea, brian williams will claim he was there too..
I’m sure they forgot to name the woman in the photo.
And no muzzie was present.
I read that book, and I agree completely. If there is any there there, why is it just now coming up?
on Monday, the Marines issued a statement saying, “The Marine Corps is examining information provided by a private organization related (to) Joe Rosenthal’s Associated Press photograph of the second flag raising on Iwo Jima.
My understanding is that aircraft LBJ was on during that bombing mission turned back before the target due to engine problems.
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