23 February 1945

Of the six men, five Marines and one Hospital Corpsman, who raised the flag, three would die on Iwo Jima.  The man who took the motion picture images, Bill Genaust, would be killed not far from the location of his famous footage.  

Comments

[Diogenes of NJ]

"Among the men who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue"

— Chester W. Nimitz

Take a moment to remember when your nation had fortitude and real leadership.

[Hmm]

OT, but take a look at this - perhaps grist for your mill:

http://www.wsj.com/articles/overhauling-the-army-for-the-age-of-irregular-warfare-1455839486

The Army is not prepared for irregular warfare, and needs to do so. WTF??? We have been fighting irregular wars non-stop for the past 15 years, and the Army has necessarily been the focal point of that effort, how the hell are they not prepared? That's only three goddamn 5-year FYDPs. Did the Army really think "yeah we're going to get over this and go back to focusing on head-on clashes with an enemy state's army" that whole time?

[vmijpp]

Sadly, the platoon commander who raised the first flag on Iwo died two days ago:

http://www.scout.com/military/warrior/story/1644462-marine-who-raised-flag-on-iwo-jima-dies-at-94

jpp