This is the original Large (second) flag that was shown in the famous photo. On display at the Marine Corp Museum. 45 years ago when I was a military police in Germany it was part of my duty to help take down the US Flag in front of Division headquarters several times a week. I still look back at that today as a serious moment in my life as a 18 year old "kid". Back around 30 years ago I toured the USMC museum when it was still at the Washington Navy Yard and saw both this flag and the smaller original first Iwo Jima flag displayed together on a wall, behind glass of course. I was the only person in that part of the museum at the time, and I couldn't move for 5 minutes. I was stunned by the historical significance. How can anybody born here hate this country?
BTW, You are NOT supposed to take pictures of this flag. Says it right there in the display.
If you have not been to the US Marine Corps museum in Quantico you are missing one of the finest museums in the world.
10 years ago while touring the Museum We entered a Higgins Boat and was briefed on the pending assault landing on the island of Iwo Jima. Motion, sound and video provide a realistic experience. When the door dropped we were met by an elderly man who talked about the fierceness of the fighting on the island. The way he talked made it clear he was an IWO JIMA veteran. I confirmed it with a simple; “You were there weren’t you?” He simply replied; “I was.”
The casualties suffered at Iwo Jima reportedly caused FDR to recoil in shock.
Uncommon Valor WAS a common virtue during the battle of Iwo Jima.