Most people have no idea that the iconic photo taken after the real event was set up. Although it was the better photo in terms of composition and appeal it has always been a shame that the Marine photographer who took the original picture and was later KIA as well as the original flag raisers who battled their way up the hill and fought a battle to keep the hill received little or no recognition. The redeeming thing about both photos and both groups is that both involved actual fighting front-line grunts who gave their all and sometimes their lives to make the operation a success. Real Marines.
I’m sure you intended no offense, but Joe Rosenthal’s Pulitzer prize wining photograph of the flag waving on Mt. Suribachi was definitely not staged. You will notice that the flag originally raised was much smaller than the one in the more famous photo. After the original flag had been raised, a Sergeant came running up the hill with the more famous flag and relayed his orders; something to the effect of:
Colonel Johnson wants this flag run up so every son of a bitch on this whole cruddy island can see it.
If the Marines seem in a hurry, it's not because they were play acting; they were under enemy fire.
James Bradley's book Flags of our Fathers includes an excellent description of the whole event. unfortunately, the movie of the same name was virtually all fiction.
Most people have no idea that the iconic photo taken after the real event was set up. Most people know that your claim is an urban legend.
Although it was the better photo in terms of composition and appeal it has always been a shame that the Marine photographer who took the original picture and was later KIA
Incorrect. If Lou Lowery, the photographer who took the first photo, had been KIA he wouldn't have gone on to become the photographic editor of Leatherneck Magazine, which he retired from in 1983. Lowery died on 15 April 1987 at the age of 70.
The photographer who took the motion picture of the second flag raising, Bill Genaust, was KIA on Iwo and his body has never been recovered.
In addition, most of your second post in this thread is full of BS too. Better check where you get your gouge from because it's AFU.