The Picture

Mu dad was in the 5th 13 regiment. He was a machine gunner on Iwo. Do you have any pics of the regiments. I always hoped to see some of my dad.
Thanks

In the second to last picture (Four of the flag raisers . . .)the man not smiling just to the right of the flag pole is my father. I was blessed with two wonderful parents. He was a great father and a very well liked by everyone who knew him. Before he went to Iwo Jima he was driving a truck and ran over a mine. He spent five months in a hospital, four of which he was in a coma, and then was sent back to his unit. He never received a purple heart nor did he ask for one. He and my mother did a great job of raising my two brothers, my sister and me. There is not a day that goes by I don't think of him and miss him.

I may have stumbled across evidence that Rosenthal didn't take the picture of the men posing in front of the flag, My great grandfather did. I have the original photo. The photo of the man taking the photo of the men may have been from Rosenthal, but the straight on photo was taken by Vernon Greenwell.

Thank you for this comment. Regardless of how you got here, you are a true American! Blessings to your daughter. My prayers are with her.
My family history goes back to the American Revolution, and I am thankful to God for that privelege. In WWII, my grandfather, along with 4 of his brothers fought for this country. He and 2 of the brothers earned bronze stars.
Now, 2 of my sons have chosen to serve in our military. I know the dangers, the cost, but I know there is a purpose, and freedom is the greatest purpose!

My great uncle fought at Iwo Jima. I don't have much info on him. He doesn't talk about it much but he is still alive. He's 88 yrs old. His name is Donald Clyde Smith of Eldorado, Ks. He did mention a fellow marine in his division that survived named Lonnie Smith. He even named one of his sons "Lonnie Smith" after this marine. He said once that he was there at the flag raising (I think the 2nd one) just not in the picture. Anyone with any info would be greatly appreciated.

Hafa Adai Frank - I went to GW in the 70s and I too remember the B52 taking off every 15 mins and the flat bed trailers carrying the bombs from Naval Mag to Anderson AFB. I also remember going to your dad's restaurant! My son graduated from JFK in the 90s.

My Uncle Robert W. (William) Mulstay was a Sargent, Truck driver, Demolitions and Photography in the USMC at Iwo Jima. I am 47 now, he died several years ago and his wife shortly thereafter. They lived many years in Shrewsbury, MA and later in Sun City , AZ.
"Uncle Bob" was a radio ham and retired Dupont Explosives executive. When I was a young boy into "GI Joe" Bob showed me some of his photographs from Iwo.He showed me a Japanese flag with writing on it, and had a rifle from the field too.
He claimed he was part of the first party, and that Joe Rosenthal "stole" his Photograph. This many years later I have no idea how to follow this story, but I did see the pictures. The famous ones here and several others of burying the dead in trenches etc. He showed these things to me so I would know that war was not like playing "GI Joe" I wish I had found out more about his service and this story of his part in the famous flag raising. Does anyone know who was in the first/ second party, or how I could find out more?
Kevin Anderson
Windsor, VT

My grandfather Joseph Mathis fought on Iwo with the 4th Marine Div, 2nd Bn, 24th Marines, G company. I am looking for anyone who has any information about his company or photos. Thanks. I also have photos of my grandfather with Don Thatcher from the 5th Marine Div and also Robert Seymour 3rd Mar div, 9th Marines for anyone seeking information on these Marines. Thanks

Semper Fi to all present and past United States Marines

HooRa

I treasure my phot of Iwo Jima flag raising- it is signed to my Grandfather Robert F Cranston (a Photographer from the NY Daily News) from Joe Rosenthal it hangs proudly next to the flag raising pic from 9-11

the people that fought at Iwo Jima will b remembered 4-ever!! U RULE!!! PEACE OUT.

Hello!!

Wondering if someone remembers my uncle from the 5Th. Marine Division or if there are any pictures of the Division.

Dominick Taormina
5th. Marine Division
Killed in action / February 20, 1945
Buried/Farminville Military Cemetery/Long Island, NY

Thank you,
Paul D. Costello
415-233-3421

I was researching Iwo Jima, because of Clint Eastwood's film. Sixty years on, it is sad to reflect how many young men killed each other on a barren piece of land. Well, sometimes it is necessary, if evil has to be checked. Those were heroes, on either side. Lets hope they went to a better place....

My uncle is Harry S. Shaffer Jr. who fought at the Battle of Iwo Jima, he was twenty years old then. The men who fought in the Pacific are a group of heros whom we will never see the likes of again. The World War II soldier came home a different person. I believe they had no fear left in them, no reason to concern themselves with any issues at home. They survived hell and came back. 6821 U.S. Heros died in the Febuary and March battle. 18,000 Japanese soldiers died, three to our one. My uncle is 85 years old now and in failing health. Im sure that 65 years later he remembers daily the events of February and March of 1945. He is now and will always be the first man who comes to my mind when I hear the word "United States Marine". Thanks to all of our Military Forces and their Families, and aspecial thanks to you Uncle Harry!

my father is buried in arlington, and is a veteran of ww2, korea, and vietnam. i served in the corpse with 3/3 in vietnam, then embassy duty in guatemala, and retired from the coast guard. i knew many ex marines who served in some of the bloodiest battles, in all our wars, all over the world, and because of that, anytime i thought i was having a tuff time, i always thought of them. i had the pleasure of meeting a nurse, who was captured on carrigador. she was a very quiet, and humble person, and never uttered a mean word to anyone. i have written the names of the iwo flag raisers in my bible, because i never want to forget who they were. to me the flag raising is one of the greatest symbols of who we are as a nation, and i just never want to forget.

Keep up the good work, bookmarked and referred some friends.

My father, John Daniels (Jack) of Philadelphia, PA was on Iwo Jima with the 5th Marine Division. He was one of the lucky ones to have returned home. I was on the beach when the flag was raised. Never talked about it much until recently when my sons, 18 and 14 have begun to ask questions. He is 85 years old and very proud to be a Marine.
Diane (Daniels) DiMartino

Howard is my Uncle.... I recently found a hand written letter from him to his mom written at Iwo Jima. Howard is still alive and living in Pocotello with his wife Joan.

my grandfather left me a tape before he passed RIP. He said, he replaced one of the soldiers that was killed when they were raising the flag in Iwa Jima. I'm trying to find out more info on this. If anybody knew Leonard George Almaraz or has any information on him please reply to almarazl27@yahoo.com

I just finished watching "Flags of our Fathers" for the first time and was truly moved. My Grandfather, although not at Iwo Jima, served in the Navy during WWII, and was a SeaBee in the Pacific theater.

I miss him very much, and as tears came to my eyes while watching this Clint Eastwood masterpiece, I thought of Granddad often. He was also wounded in the war, and rarely spoke of what he did in that great conflict. True to the mettle and measure of the men he served with howeve, when he would speak of it, he spoke of the good times he had, and of the men he served with.

May God continue to bless our great nation, and may we all recognise the tremendous and terrible sacrifices these men made for us then, and in the years after. I pray we shall not throw it all away.

I cannot make it Friday night to the SAC Museum, but I will be there Saturday to Thank all these guys personally for all they did for our country!

JACKIE HI!UNDER AMERICAS GREATEST GENERATION MARINE HEROES: RAYMOND JACOBS. THE MARINES ON MT. SURIBACHI 2ND PICTURE THE MARINE WITH HIS HELMET COCKED TO THE RIGHT SIDE IS MY MOTHERS BROTHER CPL. EUGENE A CASATANEDA. SOME PICTURES HE,S IN AS YOU SCROLL DOWN HE WOULD BE 3RD FROM THE LEFT. HAVE BLOWN UP PICTURES AT HOME. HE DIED IN 1980 FROM CANCER FROM WOUNDS HE RECEIVED AT IWO JIMA AT THE AGE OF 55. HE WAS PART OF THE 40 MAN TEAM E CO. 2/28TH REG. 5TH MARINE DIV. THAT HELPED WITH THE 1ST FLAG RAISING. HE STARTED AS A PARATROOPER AT FIRST, AND WAS ASIGNED WITH THE 5TH MARINE DIV. AT CAMP PENDLETON, BEFORE THE INVASION ON IWO JIMA. THE WRITE UP WAS IN FEB. OF 2005 IN OUR HOMETOWN PAPER OF BAY CITY MICH. TAKE CARE ERNIE

The Iwo Jima memorial is truly inspirational and has intrigued me since I was a child. I hope to see it in person sometime soon.

Meanwhile, are you able to confirm for me that the memorial commemorates the famous Marine battle at (among many others) Belleau Wood?

Thanks in advance for your assistance- Semper Fi !

I wanted so baddly to meet those me and congrdulate them on their sucess and i hope that all the other men rest in peace with the flag raisers.

Andrew delaney

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!!

Paul Johnson / March 07,2010 9:00AM / Reply

The men in the picture of the Flag-Raising On Iwo Jima represent what I believe Americans are all about, men and women working together, when times get tough and unbearable.I started a organization, New York Marine Cadets,in march 02,1977.It was based on what these men,who demonstrated in the most severe moments in their lives,how we can work together and achieve anything we want in life.The motto of New York Marine Cadets is " Gun-Ho " ,meaning working together in the spirit and harmony.In the rememberance the men who gave much more then they had too,for us all.May god bless and keep them in his kingdom.

It's always heart moving to be reminded of the sacrifices made for freedom and for one's country. I wrote a poem honoring our soldiers in uniform which can be accessed at the link below.

Semper Fi
Patrick

To Whom Honor is Due

http://docs.google.com/View?id=dfm3xzhs_21cbprhggq

My grandfather was fighting on those grounds and he wrote that "The flag was a sign of encouragement" to him and his men on the field. He died from a mortar shell injury two years ago.

Thanks

My father,Maj. Roger Throckmorton, USMC Ret., who passed away this past September (2009) at the age of 83, fought on Iwo Jima and was 1000 yards from the flag when it was raised. He got to see it once again in 2008 during a visit to the new Marine Corps museum in Quantico, VA. My son has a tremendous respect for veterans of war, not because of my dad who had difficulty talking about his experience, but from his involvment in JROTC. It will not be long before all our Iwo survivors are gone. We should all honor them by ensuring our children and grandchildren know the significance of this battle. Semper Fi!

I had a father in law who died during the pacific war he witnessed the raising of the flag, he was in the Navy and
operated a landing craft to deliver the troops to the
shore,he was killed while helping a fellow mate . i am trying to
find out any an all information on him for my husband and kids/
grandkids, we all want to know any info we can find out about him
he died during the pacific war in world war ll.
so if you or anyone you know of has any pictures or information
on who or where i can aquire them please let us know. it is
extreamly important to us to know who his team mates were,
and info of him .
His Name was " Melvin Eugene Buhr"
please forward and ask around to anyone who served in the
pacific war if they knew him or of anyone who did?
thank you and god bless you for any help you can offer us.

John, Hello
I was born and raised on Guam. I too saw the Busses that would transport the wounded from Andersen AFB to the Naval Hospital. I also attended JFK High school from 1965 and graduated in 1966. I remembered the B-52 continious fly-bys while I was in Biology class on the second floor of JFK. I could see the B-52s fly by every 15 mins.
My dad would invite the buses to stop for a free Itallian Dinner at his Restaurant (Sourgoses Itallian Kitchen) in East Agana. It was our way of thanking and supporting our troops during those difficult times, ( Protests etc). I enlisted in the Navy in 1967 and retired in 1987 as Lieutenent.
It is nice to read your comments and I wish you well John. I watched the Movie "Letters from Iwo JIma" and "Flags of our fathers". They were great movies. I hurt just watching the fighting scenes because it reminded me of all my High school friends who died in Vietnam. I'll never forget they gave the untimate sacrifice for our country. Did you teach at JFK John?

A major war time victory thanks to our WW 2 vets. For the land of the free and the home of the brave! U.S.A.

True're words were never spoken.Thank You,And God Bless.

MY FATHER WAS IN THE ARMY DURING WW2, HE LANDING IN MARSASE, FRANCH AND WHEN THROUGH FRANCE AND GERMANY. HE TOLD ME A LOT OF WHAT HAPPEN THERE. AS A KID I LOVED TO WATCH WAR MOVIES WITH MY DAD AND MY FAVORET WAS THE MOVIE THAT JOHN WAYNE MADE OF IWO JIMA.
GOD BLESS ALL OF ARE MAN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE SERVICE IN THE PAST, NOW AND IN THE FUTURE. IF IS WAS NOT FOE THEM WE WOULD BE UNDER HITLES TYPE OF RULE. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS1111

Is there a chance to get copies of you photo's, Lost an uncle

KIA IWO JIMA
MARCH 3RD 1945
William J. McEwan
5th Division

Family trying to track down his death on Iwo and determine how he did and where if possible on the Island.

I have always been told that my great uncle is one of the men in the first flag raising pictue (7th down). I have never been able to confirm this due to the fact that he died due to malaria complications when my father was a boy. How would I go about confirming this? His name was Berman Harrell. He went by a nickname of "Joe." Thanks for any help anyone can provide.

Today being February 23, 2010, the 65th anniversary of the historic Flag Raising on Iwo Jima, as a history and photography buff, I am moved to say that the iconic photo of the flag raising is not only the most famous photo from World War II, it is in my opinion, one of the top 3 or 4 most famous photos in history, and at the same time, one of the most artistic (even without being carefully planned or composed). That one image truly represents the greatness of the United States. The photo certainly deserves all of the attention it has gotten over the past 65 years. I never cease to be amazed by it...and also, to be thankful for the thousands of men in uniform who fought there and in so many other places for our freedom.

I used to watch all the war movies as a kid and was facinated by the Iwo Jima flag raising picture. When I finally got to see the statue in person it brought a tear to my eye. It's a great monument to those who were there for us.

When my grandfather died my mother found some old photographs in his archives. I am proud to say that I hold an original phot of the flagraising sirned by Joe Rosenthal. He was a good friend of my grandgathers and he gave him a photo and signed it "To my friend Charlie" signed Joe Rosenthal. I hold this photo dear to my heart and thank and all those who served and died for the freedom I enjoy today. God Bless America.

These guys worked hard,and was hard fighters, I think they all believe they who win, and by the grace of God they did thanks guys.

My Uncle Charles was in the 3rd Marine Divison and killed in battle on Iwo Jima. God Bless Him and all those Brave Men who gave their lifes for our country.

I have a copy of the 7th picture down.
I understand that it was the first picture taken and that 2 hours later a camera crew came in and poised for the 2nd picture.

The 8th man from the left, head behind the rifle with the flag is my Uncle Jack Morehead.

If you would like a copy, send email to:
Davidhh@aol.com. Put something in the subject line so I will know its not junk mail.

To all the posts in this section that wish veteran's peace and they hope that God gives them peace, Thank you but from first hand experience, I have not had that peace alond with many other combat veterans. If you have peace after experiencing the harrows of war, then you have no concious left in your soul. God Bless the Veteran!

God Bless the U.S.M.C. Three brothers, one nephew, one cousin and several friends served in the Marines. I am proud of them all. One friend, Eric Pulliam made the ultimate sacrifice in the barracks bombing in Beirut. Thank you to the Marines for insuring our freedom then, now and forever.

Hello Richard,
My mother, who was born in Marathon, Wi. in 1908, always told us that she was related to John Bradley. Her aunt Frances on her mother's side lived in antigo, wisconsin; her married name was Frances Lukowicz. Frances' husband's first name was either Tom, John or Joe. As far as I recall, I believe that Aunt Frances' daughter or niece was John Bradley's wife. Do you happen to know what John Bradley's wife's maiden name was? I know her first name was Kathryn.
Many thanks for this information!

I have just finished reading the book Flags of Our Fathers. This is an awsome book. James Bradley did some amazing research. I can see how he can be so proud of his father. I have the movie based on the book. Seeing some of the battle scenes and what these brave men went thru, makes me even more proud to be an American. I served in the U.S.Navy during Viet Nam. I had an older brother that was a Marine, as well as my oldest son. I am always proud to say they were Marines. To all the men of Iwo Jima, I say Thank You. To the families of those that didn't return,I'm sorry for your loss. May God Bless those men and all men and women of WW2.
God Bless this great nation of ours.

These are all really great comments and I would like to follow up on some of these. I am working on an Iwo Jima project. Anyone who would like to participate, please contact me. I am looking for survivors, pictures, stories, etc.
Thank you.

the man left side holdind helmet up and behind I.Hays is Howard L Dutton. He lives in Pocatello Idaho . He may be the last one alive (second flag 18 men) GOD BLESS THEM ALL

ira hayes is my great great great great grandfather

TO BOTH GROUPS OF MEN THAT RAISED OUR FLAG I SALUTE YOU AND THE OTHER MARINES THAT SECURED THAT ISLAND.TELL A MARINE DO GET SOMETHING DONE AND IT GETS DONE. I WAS A LITTLE YOUNG FOR THE 2ND WORLD WAR BUT WHEN I BECAME OF AGE I JOINED THE MARINE CORP DURING THE KOREAN CONFLICT. AGAIN MY DEEPEST APPRECIATION GOES OUT TO ALL MARINES THAT SERVED BEFORE ME AND ALSO TO THE ONES NOW CARRYING ON THE TRATATION OF THE CORP. GOD BLESS---SEMPER FI

ON THE PICTURE OF THE FLAG RAISING DOES THE MARINE AT THE LEFT ALMOST TOUCHING THE FLAG HAVE A BAYONET ON HIS RIGHT SIDE AND A RIFLE SLUNG OVER HIS BACK WHICH I THINK THE STATUE IN DC SHOWS

Amazingly I have come across pictures that were my father's - he served in the Marines from 1944 - 1945 in Iwo Jima - and the collection of pictures includes two of the ones on this page - the one of the flag raising and the group picture once the flag was fully raised... these seem to be original prints - wondering if they should be specially archived? He kept these pictures from his 5 children and never spoke about the war... my brother has had them since 1988 when my father passed away. How I wish he was here now so we could learn more about his term of duty... we are so proud.

Jackie

Hello;

My Great Uncle lost his legs in Okinawa, he was friends with Joe Rosenthal, Joe visited My Uncle in the hospital, and gave my uncle the first picture off the original negative "to the second standing" Amazing to have sort of a connection to something so historical.

Bob

Brought tears to my eyes when I was there in 1995. I was in the Marines stationed on Okinawa, Japan. I am very PROUD to be a
U.S. Marine.

Im in 8th 2 and i think that it is awsome that you all remember the struggle the marines had to capture this island

This is my favorite battle of all time it is cool bcause of how all the marines were willing 2 give their lives instantly i dont think i could do that

YOUR RIGHT MY MAN

My uncle is in that picture when they are raising the flag. He is the one with his hand not touching the flag but attempting to touch it. <3

I feel so proud of these men who had the courage to fight for a better nation!!!! I am also sorry for all they went through!!!