IWO JIMA

[DWalt]

I had understood that the second flag raising was primarily a photo op. I have written previously about a retired Marine Colonel I once worked with, who had fought all through the Pacific and also later in Korea. He had lots of war stories. I remember that he told me he was on Iwo Jima and saw the flag go up, but took no part in the event.

 

[fordson]

Every thing I’ve read indicates that the second flag rasing was just a flag replacement with a larger, more visible flag. It wasn't a staged event.

 

[larryofcc]

My Dad was a training Marine about to leave for Okinawa. We later lived on Camp Pendleton where I made friends with Ira Hays's Nephew and Niece at Wire Mountain, Camp Pendleton. He was a very dark skinned Indian as was his Sister. Cannot remember their names. I'm 81 now. Big Larry

 

[DWalt]

Reading the detailed Wikipedia article on the event is enlightening on many points. There indeed was some reason to believe that the picture of the second flag raising was to some degree staged. Two photographers were assigned to cover it. The subsequent picture of the Marines who raised the second flag was definitely staged. There was also a movie made of the second flag raising from the same vantage point as the still camera.. The second flag came from an LST, and Admiral Nimitz had nothing to do with it.

There was considerable misidentification of some of the Marines which took a very long time to resolve. But it seems that all parties have now been correctly identified.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

I had a guy at work that was a Marine there. He was wounded the second day. Always walked with a limp. A very good friend long gone.

 

[Rudi]

I have heard several 1st hand accounts from Iwo vets. A Hellish battle.

 

[Greyman50]

I hesitate to believe Anything on 99% of “ news” sites online. Studying and Reading first hand account books written by combat Veterans and Meeting and talking to them 40-20 years ago is much more accurate.
Have read many many books on Iwo and other island campaigns. Second flag raised on Iwo was at direction of an officer so other men On The Island Could See it. Years ago our group met an Iwo Veteran who was still affected by what he went through and saw, “ pure hell” is what he said.

 

[AJ]

Collect by a body guard/driver S/Sgt for the Commandant, during a visit to Iwo Jima.