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The date, February 23rd, has special meaning to American servicemen from WWII. It was on that date in 1945 that the American flag was raised on top of Mount Suribachi, on the Island of Iwo Jima. Many people recognize the most famous photograph of WWII, taken by Joe Rosenthal, as the image of six men raising the flag on Mt. Suribachi. Not as many know that it was the second flag raised on Iwo Jima that day. In fact, the first American flag had been raised four hours earlier.
Marines first landed on the island's black volcanic sandy shores on February 19, 1945. February 23rd was the fifth day of fighting on Iwo Jima. Lt. Col. Chandler Johnson obtained a U. S. flag brought to the island by First Lieutenant George G. Wells from the attack transport ship Missoula. On the morning of February 23rd, Lt. Col. Johnson sent for First Lieutenant Harold Schrier, handed him the flag and told him take his platoon up the hill and raise the flag. He said, "If you get to the top, raise it." Notice he said "if" not "when", indicating the severity of the battle. The platoon started up Mt. Suribachi at 9:00 am and after meeting no opposition, they made it to the top. On the way up the hill, two of the men found a 20-foot iron water pipe and attached the flag to it. At about 10:30 am on February 23, 1945, the first American flag was raised and flown on Japanese soil. The men who took part in raising the first flag were First Lieutenant Harold Schrier, Corporal Charles Lindberg, Platoon Sergeant Ernest Thomas, Sergeant Henry O. Hansen, Private First Class Louis Charlo and Pfc. James Michels. Immediately after, ships began to sound their horns and troops on the island began to cheer. After the first flag went up, the platoon fought off Japanese resistance for three more hours until the mountain was secure. The smaller first flag was hard to see from a distance and recognizing its importance, Col. Johnson ordered the first flag taken down, saved and replaced with a larger one. The photo of the second flag raising became the one that everyone recognizes today.
Let us not forget Sgt. Lou Lowery of Leatherneck Magazine who accompanied the platoon up the hill that morning and photographed the climb and raising of the first flag. The photos below were taken by him to document the event. We must thank those brave men who raised the first flag and all other servicemen who fought the battle. Today marks the 65th anniversary of that historic event. It has been determined that one third of the Marines killed during WWII, were killed during the battle of Iwo Jima. |
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