15 Aug The Flag over Iwo Jima
In 2009, I wrote about listening to the audio book, Flags of our Fathers. After his father died, author James Bradley found a book of WWII memories in a closet. James’ father had told his wife on their first date that he had been at Iwo Jima but then barely spoke of it again in their 40+ years of marriage. Bradley’s book meant a lot to me because both he and I were writing about our Dads. His book became a bestseller and then a movie produced and co-directed by Clint Eastwood.
John Bradley, a U.S. Navy Hospital corpsman at Iwo Jima, until this year was identified as one of the flag raisers in the famous photograph by Joe Rosenthal — which may be the most reproduced photograph ever. Rosenthal’s photograph was used by the sculptor who created the Marine Corps War Memorial which I wrote about earlier this year.
The Marine Corps War Memorial is located at the back entrance to Arlington National Cemetery. Photo taken in 2012 during the Roswell Rotary’s Honor Air trip.
Now I am mesmerized by the events that have taken place in the last couple of years. In 2014, the Omaha World-Herald wrote about Stephen Foley a history buff in Ireland who was laid up after hernia surgery and began to study the iconic Rosenthal photograph as well as other Iwo Jima photographs. Why? According to the article, he had always been fascinated by World War II, especially the U.S. Marines and their battles in the Pacific battles. Amazing. An Irishman.
After weeks of close study, Foley was convinced that two of the flag raisers had been identified incorrectly and that John Bradley was not one of them.
What?! In the article above, you can view the fascinating details of his findings. The World-Herald columnist wrote that James Bradley said, “At the end of the day, the truth is the truth. Everything is possible. But really?”
I was having the same reaction. Really? Then this May, the Washington Post reported that James Bradley agreed that his father was not in the photograph.
So who is the mystery man who was there?
On June 23, 2016, the Marine Corps officially announced that U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Harold Schultz, a Purple Heart recipient, is the identity of the 6th flag raiser in the Rosenthal photograph.
Another article at the 5th Marine Division site about the detailed research details how Schultz was identified. It also explains why the case for having John Bradley included as one of the first flag raisers was a very strong one. There was much confusion at the time and many of the men in the area were helping with the flag and the rocks which helped to hold it up.
In July the Smithsonian Channel premiered a one-hour special, “The Unknown Flag Raiser of Iwo Jima,” depicting the research. The special will be showing again in September, and at this link you can view a short preview.
In 1945, this photograph recognized every brave man who fought and died at Iwo Jima. Today it, along with the Marine Corps War Memorial, is a lasting tribute to all U.S. Marine Corps personnel who have died in the defense of our country.
We can never thank our veterans enough.
Related Posts:
Flags of our Fathers
Sculpting the Marine Corps War Memorial
Note: Special thanks to Paul Howard, U.S. Navy, Korea who went on the 2016 Roswell Rotary Honor Air trip to Washington, D.C. and who first introduced this story to me.
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