The Identification of John H. Bradley in the First Flag Raising - Iwo Jima
The Identification of John H. Bradley in the First Flag Raising
Below are a series of images by Dustin Spence that make a compelling case that flag raiser John H. Bradley also took park in the first flag raising on Iwo Jima.
Mark Hacala (8/26+2811): There is one closeup of Bradley holding the flag pole with both hands and there doesn't appear to be any harness showing by his neck/back. Another closeup shows he has a .45 and a holster seems to be on the 2nd Flag Raising photo.
The helmets I think have removable liners that could be mistaken for a cap.
Hansen (3rd Platoon) a first flag raiser with Schrier and Thomas (3rd Platoon), was mistaken for Block (2nd Platoon) by Gagnon (runner) and Bradley (3rd Platoon) went along with. Could be, since a Colonel ordered Hayes (2nd Platoon) to keep quiet about Block, the same order may have been given to Gagnon and Bradley (and Schrier). Evidently, Bradley didn't know Block since they were in different platoons.
If that's not Bradley in the 2nd Raising then who is it? And that would mean witnesses weren't telling the truth, and why? On Schrier's Navy Cross citation it credits Schrier and Thomas with the actual 1st flag (pole) "raising" when Hansen raised it too (not Lindberg or the others). Could it be Bradley "raised" the 1st flag? Lindberg called himself a "flag raiser" but it didn't take six to raise the first flag (this explains the citation).
My brother was a combat platoon corpsman, he carried an engineer bag instead of a Unit 1 which couldn't hold all the supplies he needed; 2 corpsmen per platoon. Bradley was with Langley, 3rd platoon, but Ziehme evidently took Langley's (wia?) place for Suribachi.
Mark Hacala (8/26/11): As a former corpsman, you made a remarkable observation: that it doesn't look like Bradley in the 2nd Raising photo. I believe a clearer photo of the 2nd Raising is available. The person doing the Bradley IDing here didn't show that Bradley has a .45 in a first flag photo. There appears something on the right leg of the person ID'ed as Bradley in the 2nd Raising (knife/holster?).
Facts: Harlon Block was wrongly ID'd as Henry Hansen in the 2nd Raising by Gagnon and Bradley. Hayes complained, and was ordered to keep quiet throughout the 7th Bond Tour (he was transfered before it was over !). Hayes walked many miles from his home over a year later to tell Block's dad that it was Block and not Hansen which led to an federal investigation and correction.
More facts: In the "Gung Ho", 2nd Raising photo, L-R, #8, is Corpsman Gerald (Jerry) Ziehme who went up Mt. Suribachi with Bradley. Like Ray Jacobs, F/2/28 (Schrier's radioman on Suribachi), Ziehme had to fight to get his photo recognition on Mt. Suribachi for many years. You can see Jacob's and Ziehme's photo/story on the Net. daviddddd@yahoo.com
Dave Wood (3/24/10): I read about Army Pfc George Burns from Yank Magazine who covered Marine amphibious landings and wondered if he was on the 40-man patrol? He took photos of the 1st U.S. flag [Flag Raisers-Schrier, Thomas, and Hansen(?)].
Army Sgt Reed did the Yank Magazine story (3/45) about Mt Suribachi with no mention of Pfc Burns(?), which is probably from Burn's info/photos.
PS Pfc Burns is photoed/documented with the 1st U.S. flag.
daviddddd@yahoo.com
Hi Ernest. Excited to know that you knew my father on Iwo Jima. He was always been very proud to be a marine. all marines that fought on iwo jima are definitely heroes to this country. can you shed any more light on how you knew my dad Nickolas Stengel. Do you have a email address i can write or a phone number i can call? i have some information you might be interested in abut iwo Jima.
My dad an Iwo vet just turned 87 on Nov. 14, 2011. I was taken aback by your post and let me say your dad was a hero and I'm glad he is your hero also. May he rest in peace.Semper Fi from one Iwo vet son to another.
Bill Pentangelo
NJ
My dad passed away November 16 2011, He was 86 years old, He was in the RECON Third Marine Division PFC. He was on top of Mt.suribachi only yards away from the flag raising, he was one of the guys in the Group Picture of the {3th. 4th. and 5th} marine divisions. He also served in the Korean war after the Marines in the U.S.Army as a corporal... He was a great guy... He is my Hero...........I will miss him dearly
The comment posted by Maira J. Adams (my wife) was about my father Lt. Eugene J. Adams, 5th Marine Division. "Gino" as he was called by friends, is the Marine in the "Faith Lives on Iwo Jima" picture who is on his knees recieving Holy Communion. This picture was published on the cover of Life magazine in 1945, the March issue, I believe. In the article that accompanied the picture, there are excerpts of a letter that my father wrote home to his mother Florence, in Santa Cruz, CA. Amoung other things, Eugene told his mother in the letter "We are giving the Japenese hell..." and "don't worry about me, I'll be alright." Eugene was one of the 40 or so Marines who were at the top of Suribachi for the flag raisings. The one Navy Corpsman among the 6 "Flag Raisers" (Bradley, I believe) was assigned to my father's platoon. Later in the Battle of Iwo Jima, my father was awarded a Bronze Star, which I still have. Like most of the men who fought on that horrible rock, Eugene declined to talk about his experiences there. While my brother and sisters and I have several items that he brought home from Iwo Jima, we never had the personal desriptions of that part of his life that we would have liked to have. Only after Eugene passed away did we begin to learn more of the details of what we always knew to be somewhat of a family legacy, if a little bit of a mysterious one. People around Santa Cruz will remember Eugene as a successful attorney, avid outdoorsman and family man. I suppose thats how he wanted to be remembered, rather than as a war hero. I will always be gratefull to the USMC for sending a color guard of Marines from Pendleton, in full Dress Blues, to give him a 21-Gun salute at his funeral. Rest in peace, Dad. TOM
Additionally, in the Rosenthal photo, it appears that PhM2c Bradley is wearing a soft cover (utility cap) beneath his helmet. The Hospital Corpsman in these images clearly is not.
I can't say I am convinced that the individual in the photos of the first flag raising is the same as the figure of Bradley in the photo of the second. I say this for several reasons...
1. In the latter photo, the Unit 3's are not present. Granted, he could have taken them off between raisings.
2. The Hospital Corpsman figure on whom you're focusing in the photos of the first raising has a harness attached to his war belt. Look in the first photo above and you'll see it beneath the letter "A" and under the crossed shoulder straps for the Unit 3's. This harness was attached by four clips to the belt, two in front, two in back. It would have been enough of an effort to remove these and completely change the way he wore his war belt that it's hard to conceive of him doing this in a combat environment. Hence, even if he took off the Unit 3's, we'd still see the harness in the second raising pic.
3. The jungle first aid kit and battle dressing pouch identified in both photos were standard issue to all, Hospital Corpsmen and Marines alike.
4. The helmet cover of the person of interest in the first raising photos is very loose and baggy and belies the actual shape of the helmet. The helmet cover on Bradley's helmet in the second raising shot is molded tightly to the helmet, making a clear silhouette of it.
5. The bracelet, which may or may not have been medical, is not visible in the Rosenthal shot.
6. Images of the first raising figure do not show whether or not there was a canteen pouch at the Hospital Corpsman's right side (it could be hidden but we don't know). The photo of Bradley in the second raising clearly shows an empty canteen pouch on the right, as Bradley had not long before given his canteen to a patient.
My dad was present for the lst flag raising and was killed on Iwo Jima on March 3, 1945.
I've been trying to locate the 40 names on the Roster of Easy Company that put up the lst flag on February 25, 1945, do you have this list or could you
help me?
I also collect all other items and information which I can get regarding iwo Jima so if you have somethings please feel free to share what you want with me.
Thanks,
Jerry Bivens
14561 Tejon Street
Broomfield, CO 80023
720.271.1941
jerryrbivens@msn.com
I have a scrapbook of the soilders that raised the flag and some of the fun stuff they did on the Island. I think prehaps one of the marine wife kept the articles. I have the menus, what they did for fun, a marine lounging, movie menu, the chaplians praying for the soilders that were deceased, a list of the deceased, missing and the wounded from every state. We should all get together and write a book. the articles came from the Leatherneck 1942 issues, alontg with some interviews by Rothenthal the photographer.
Saddens me to not see my Uncle Joe on this website. He posed for this monument, I think replacing Harlon Block. He is the bottom man on re-creating this historic event. I have the original black and white pictures of all the men including Felix de Weldon. They pose between two houses in a driveway. The first sculpture was about three feet tall and made of a white material. Joe was my Mother's brother. Elbert Warden Hinkle. I also have the map of Iwo Jima, the same one that appeared on Pawn Stars. I remember telling my fifth grade teacher about him and got sent to the office for lying..My Mom brought the pictures up to show her..What an expression on her face. Maybe I'll post these on here for all to see..The Felix de Weldon museum said that no pictures were taken of this event...David
that was your father myself also usmc stengal that was him i talked to iwo surviors and iwo was brought up on the 1st flag raising and for some reason or anther the topic brought at a fellow marines funeral.also early age same topic from ww2 vets. marines /island hoppers but your father is the marine in photo semper fidelis pvt. e.h. gay gulf war era 1/25/4.
When I was 15, in 1959, I went to work Harden grocery. The owner was Hollis Harden. Hollis's son-in-law, Eddie Sears told me that Hollis was one of the flag raisers in the first raising. Does anyone know of him?
We have a copy of these pictures in our family picture box. My uncle, Frank Russo, is in the picture with the many men and the flag. He is the one on the very right with his helmet on. I wish he were still alive to see these pictures and comments.
my father, John Richard Quinn, aka "Quinny," Jack, or Doc Quinn, was a Navy Corpsman 4th Marines who landed at Iwo Jima. He claims to have witnessed the raising of the flag, however I don't know enough of his company's movements to determine his position.
anyone with info on the 4th Marine Division at Iwo?
My father, Ogle T. Lemon, was a member of the 2nd Squad, 3rd Platoon, Company E, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division who assaulted Mount Suribachi and planted the FIRST FLAG on Mount Suribachi.
Excellent reading about this event can be found in a hardcopy edition of American Heritage Magazine, Volume XV, Number 4, June, 1964. The article was written by Richard Wheeler in order to document the flag raising that occurred prior to the photo-op flag raising so notable in history. Richard Wheeler was a corporal in the 1st squad.
I would appreciate the distribution of this information in order to help complete the documented history of Iwo Jima and the brave marines who fought there.
My father was on Iwojima and landed on February 22nd, debarking from the U.S.S. Knox. According to his records, he was in the 28th replacement draft. What was a replacement draft & what was its function? Does anyone have any idea. Thanks.
I feel like writing here about how thankful I am to Pfc Donald Jack Ruhl, as well. Trying to stay entertained, I just watched a documentary about Iwo Jima on Netflix. Disappointed that I didn't hear my Grandfather's name concerning the charge up the hill, I began a little researching on Google. Even though I didn't find much info aside from his name printed, I was excited to see a photograph of my Grandfather, Pfc Robert Donald Goode, whom I never knew and have only ever seen two, maybe three images. The photo was taken, I think, just as the group took it's first steps up the slope.
Here's the link, Mom...
http://carol_fus.tripod.com/marines_hero_ray_jacobs.html
... fourth or fifth image from the top of the page, under the section heading "Up Suribachi"
The second man at the top of the charge and carrying a flame thrower is my Grandpa Goode. I wish I could see his face.
And so my searching for more info has lead me to this forum, reading my own Mother's post and learning that my Grandfather's life was once saved by his best friend.
If Donald Jack Ruhl hadn't taken that particular grenade, neither my Mother nor myself would exist to even consider any other scenario.
I to have the same situation a family member pasted. When we where cleaning out things we came across a picture of the flag raising at the top of the mountain of Iwa Jima. Did you find someone to authenticate your pictures?
My grandfather was on the beach when the flag(s?) went up. he had been shot in the thigh. i have no idea if there are any photographs of him on Iwo or anyother information besides the 60 year old mailings his parents got when he was wounded. sadly i never got to know him, he died years before my parents started dating. he became a police officer in Newark NJ after the war. Rest in Peace George Phillip Reilly, PFC 4th Marine Division. Semper Fi
My Dad was with the 5th Division, 26th marines , he was on the third wave that landed at the foot of Suribachi. He can remember it like yesterday. He can remember what he and his squad did and where they went on the island. He was a Cpl. when they landed there. Submited for Jason E.(Jay or JE) Goains, Texas.
In the photo of Marines attending Mass, to the right of your square, the face immediately left of the Chaplain's head would to me make a good likeness of Ira Hayes.
My uncle, Colonel Don Hittle, served on the Third Marine Division staff on Iwo. Although as many veterans of the battle have testified, everywhere on Iwo was the "front lines," the Third Division Staff bunker was somewhat more safe than being in a rifle squad up ahead. Thus, when one of Don'e enlisted clerks repeatedly requested permission to join a rifle outfit up ahead, he very reluctantly gave the young marine his permission. That marine clerk was killed in action serving as a rifleman. Don himself received the Purple Heart, but survived the war and commanded a Regiment on occupation duty in China after the war, where his unit was engaged in skirmishes with Communist troops in north China. In the mid-1950s, Colonel Hittle was one of a handful of Marine officers advising Congress on the viability of the US Marine Corps during a time when President Eisenhower and others believed that the Corps was no longer needed. The son of a Michigan Congressman, Colonel Hittle prepared compelling testimony to Congress for more than one year and has thus been described in one USMC history as the "man who saved the Marine Corps" for helping to convince Congress that the Marines continued to play a unique role in our national security as the only mobile amphibious assault force in the armed forces. In 1968, Don was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs and retired as Brigadier General. He became a journalist, contributing columns to the Navy Times and the Copely News Service, a lobbyist on Capital Hill (he was instrumental in getting the Congress to support the funding and acquisition of a new dynamic vehicle to replace the jeep, which lated became famously known as the "Humvee"), and he served on the Boards of many companies, including Pan Am Airways. One of his pet projects was to get a Navy ship named in honor of the young marine clerk he had lost on Iwo, which was successfully accomplished in the 1980s. He served many years as President and President Emeritus of the Army-Navy Club in Washington D.C. and oversaw the complete renovation of the club home in dowtown Washington. He died in 2003 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetary
We have one of the first flag group living here in Oswego, Il named Pfc Dick Young. He's 87 and losing some of his memories of the event. Does anybody remember Dick and his role in getting the first flag to the top? If so I'll pass on to him any comments. Thanks very much.
After the death of my uncle in 2004 a cousin uncovered a copy of the Joe Rosenthall photo of the platoon. My Uncle, Dagbert Italo (Dauby)Paolinelli is pictured 2nd row, 2nd from right with his Garand held high. Does anyone have a complete roster of the Platoon that accended To raise the flag?
The author mentions "soldiers" several times in his writing. These MARINES may have been called "soldiers of the sea" at one time or another but they are MARINES...and a few blessed Navy Corpsmen.
My father, PFC E.C. Potter also served in G Co., 2/24. I too would love to have a photo of the unit or communicate with anyone
that may have known of him.
In the Mass photo 2nd from left is Lt. Carl Erasmus Padovano. G company I think. Not sure that this photo is actually taken on Mt. Suribachi....any confirmation is greatly appreciated.
My father Lt. John P. Saylor was the communications officer on the U.S.S. Missoula, the ship that transported the 28th Battalion, 5th Division of the U.S. Marines (including Sgt. Michael Strank, a fellow resident of Johnstown, PA) to Iwo Jima. According to the ship's log, these Marines were assigned to take Mt. Suribachi. When the Missoula's Captain challenged Colonel Johnson of the USMC to joist the Stars and Stripes on the summit, my father secured the needed flag and presented it to the departing Marines. This flag, I believe, was the first one raised on Mt. Suribachi as shown in the Lou Lowry photograph.
My father was elected the the U.S. House of Representatives in 1949 and served until his death in 1973. He remained in the Navy Reserves and achieved the rank of Captain. He was a strong advocate for Veterans throughout his service in Congress. Dad will be inducted into the Cambria County PA Veterans Hall of Fame in September.
My great uncle was in the battle of IWO JIMA and he passed a few years ago. I found a photo of the flad rasing. I have also many many more photos from his time there. How to do go about getting these authenticated and find a collector intrested in them?
I have no military, I am sorry to say,and was medically deferred from service duty the year I graduated for high school...1967. My father, Clayton M. Pittman, and his 3 brothers are all gone now and they all did their part either at home, like my father did at Fort Knox as a range instructor, my favorate uncle George Carlyle Pittman did at Okenawa, my 3rd uncle Lovett Henry Pittman in Europe, and last but not least, the youngest of my 3 uncles, Maxwell D. Pittman in Europe as well....
They are all gone now but prior to their leaving us, many years back, I got each of them to tell me stories of their "duties" during and in WW2. I hope to God that our young men today are safe in their duties in our military. It seems like every day something comes out negative about our stance against waring enemy people that want to distroy our wonderful nation....
----GOD BLESS OUR NATION----
Prior to the death of a man that I befriended, he told me of his time in the Marines. I am a former marine who shared many similarities with this man (job type, both stationed at Camp Lejeune, and overall comaraderie of being former Marines). I have had the honor of aquiring memorbilia of his from his service. He was in the 1st wave on Iwo Jima. His name was Harold Jewell, Company F, 2nd Bat., 27th Marines, 5th Division. His daughters, who never heard their father utter a word about his time at war, are now desparately seeking information about him and his experiences on Iwo. With only a couple of V-mails and a couple of other papers describing the landing on Iwo, they are left with so many questions. How do I find his complete military record? Possible photos? Like all men that served, Harold is an American hero. His story is worth preserving for his family and friends.
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
My father was on the LST 809 during the landing at Iwo Jima.Is there anyone out there who served on board with him? His name is Russell Brady and was from Uniontown Pa.He has passed away. He would have been 91 this year.
Thanks and God Bless all of them.
Russ
MR. SHATTO. WOULD MY UNCLE CPL. EUGENE A. CASTANEDA HAPPEN TO BE ON THE UNIT ROSTER 2ND BN. 2/28TH REGT. 5TH MARINE DIV. NOT SURE WITH EASY CO.? WAS AT IWO AND WOUNDED AROUND MAR. 11TH. ANY INFO. WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED ! THANKS ERNIE SIMMONS E-MAIL esimmons18@charter.net
I served in Vietnam and I now own a security company in Sacramento, Cal. I have an employee that hit the beach at Iwo Jima and is still working. He is an outstanding human being and a great Marine....I only hope that one day I can be as good a man as Dale is...Semper Fi Dale Cox.......Dales fate was changed that Feb day when he lost many good Marines....He is my friend and I am very grateful for his service to our Country and Corps....
My Father served on Iwo. Was waounded in action on 21 feb. mortor shapnel to the rt butt cheek. He was a .30 cal light MG crewman.Many years ago on the 50th anniversery of the Iwo battle, PARADE mag. did a story. Capt Severence the E co CO who sent his guys up the mountain had maintain the unit rosters for the Bn. He supplied me with a lot of info. we thought we saw our dad on the gung ho shoot, but Col (ret) Severence, provided me info on my dads wounds and even what LST he arrived on. He never made it off the beach before being wounded and evaced.I have unit muster rolls. I will dig them out and try t find some of the names mentioned above. I just received my dads complete military per file from the NRC. Thanks to Col Severence and all the Marines that sacrficed and served our great country. SEMPER FI devil dogs! I'll look up on the roster and recontact you later. FYI. If they wernt in Easy Co 2nd Bn 28th Marine Rgt, 5th Marine Div...they wern't up on Suribachi.
You might want to write to leo champagne 2106 thornton terrace the villages, florida 32162 (doesn't have an e-mail). Leo was in the first group who carried up the first flag. believe he may be the last one living of that first group. he is just starting to come out and speak about this as, feeling, he may be the last man alive, he wants the story to be known. He gave his story at our local rotary group. He has the japanese flag that they found on the ground at the top(blew down after all the bomblings)before they put up the first, smaller American flag. He is thinking of giving it to the marine museum at Quanico, virginia.
charlie couckuyt
My Uncle Howard is definitely the man on the left with his helmet in the air.... My grandmother was married to Patrick's grandfather.... My dad's name was Lewis, who was also a WWII vet, and died last year.
David Wood: I just stumbled across your comments regarding your stepfather, George Burns. I knew him well. I worked at a local electronics company (late 1970's) and used George's services when he owned Burns Photography on Central Ave. Albany, NY. One day after a long photo shoot in his studio, we had take out dinner brought into his conference room. There, plastered on every wall, were these incridible black and white WWII photos he shot. I was so excited, I called my Dad to come over immediately; he loved to hear war stories. We sat and talked for hours on end. My Dad told George he should write a book. George was gental and unassuming... a very good, genuine person. Do you still have his archive of photos? If so, did you ever consider publishing them in some form?
Does anyone know if one of the men in the group photo may have been Ray King Wilson from Oklahoma? He is listed with this company, but reported killed a few days later, apparently while clearing a landing strip. According to family lore, he helped in the raising. I am looking for any info! thanks
My grandfather is believed to be in the "Gung Ho" photo taken immediately after the 2nd flag raising. Joe Rosenthal took the photo and Bill Genaust captured it on video. Anyone with information about Aubrey Roberts who was part of the 1st platoon, E company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Regiment, 5th Division please contact me. He was wounded twice the 2nd time seriously on the northwest part of the island on March 11th in the Nishi ridge area.
My Stepfather was an ARMY photographer with photos of the first flag raising. He's no longer alive, never complained his photos were not used and never complained his name is nowhere in the history books. One of many reason to believe his recalling of the 2nd flag having been requested by Marines atop Mt. Suribachi. George Burns was his name. He explained to Joe Rosenthal the photos of the first flag raising and it was decided to do another with a larger flag. He said the call went down to a Navy ship for a larger flag. It took about 20 minutes or so to reach the top once requested. I've seen George in video from the eventful day but never any mention of him, other than "an Army photographer". He felt it was a Marine event and that may be why the Army guy has been left out of history. (Maybe the Texas School Board had something to do with it?)
I just find it a shame that after all these years the truth is still unknown.
PS The larger flag made a better photo for sure! I own original prints of both flags being raised.
Impresionante lo que hicierón estos hombres, enfrentarse a un enemigo tan duro y fanatico como el japones en suelo sagrado nipon.
Conocí la historia a traves del libro de James Bradley, sabia de esta batalla pero nunca imagine que fue tan terrible. Mi más profundo respeto y admiración a ambos ejercitos. Los americanos por conseguir frenar isla a isla la locura de invasión japonesa y a los nipones por defender hasta el ultimo hombre una isla considerada suelo sagrado nipon.
My husband's grandfather is in the picture of all the guys smiling and holding up guns. He is still alive today but doesn't talk about Iwo. He is closest to the middle, smiling and holding up his gun. His name is Earnest (Phil) Phillips. He lives in Birmingham, AL. today.
My grandfather was an Iwo Survivor, there was a picture of hit with a japanese flag... I would love to know more he passed away while I was still pretty young and I really wish I could have had more time with him to hear stories... His name was Taylor Locke if anyone has any information I would really love to hear it.
My Dad, Herman Fulford, was a Phar. Mate 2nd class. Assignment was LST #731 at The Battle. I never really knew what all those heros experienced except a few letters, a vial of Iwo sand, some Japanese medicine vials, and a photo taken near one of the caves. I only asked him once about Iwo and all he said was,"It was a mess". Nothing more. Somehow he ended up inland due to a shortage of Corpsman like John Bradley. Such is war. Before he passed, in 1983, he was estatic to know that he was going to have a Grandaughter. Sadly he died two months to the day before she was born. To all "Boomers" from the Great Generation, we must pass on what our parents and relatives accomplished. We owe it to ourselves and future generations of Iwo Heroes.
Hi Connie...my Father was there also, very close by. I've been looking through the pictures but probably wouldn't recognize hime. He survived the war, but not the memories. He committed suicide at 36, five days after my second birthday.
Thanks to all those Iwo vets who fought for all of us in a just cause,what brave people these are to go to war,my uncle is buried in Normandy,thanks again
my father andrew h. hansen is also in the photograph of the flag rasing on iwo. he is in the center left portion of the group with his left hand on his knee and his right hand in the air holding what i think is a m-1 carbine.
Pfc Robert Donald Goode of California is my father. He was part of that 40-Marine patrol who scaled to the top of Mt Suribachi. He operated a flame-thrower and was attached to the Fifth Division, 28th Reg., Easy Co., 3rd Platoon. Pfc Donald Jack Ruhl of Montana was one of his best friends. I feel to say that all of our Marines were tremendous heroes, and I am thankful for each and every one of them. If Pvt Ruhl had not taken that enemy grenade in his gut on 21 Feb 1945, which killed him, my father would likely not have survived the war and I would not be sitting here writing about him. Semper Fi to all Marines, and thank you also to the Army units that also served on Iwo Jima during that terrible struggle. God Bless America's Heroes.
I haven't been to this website lately. It's really great and I was just looking at all the photos. My father is in the photo of the 1st Flag Raising. His name is misspelled. Could it be corrected? His name is Pfc. James Michels (there is no "a" in Michels). He is in the foreground with the carbine. Thank you in advance. God Bless all of our servicemen and servicewomen. Semper-fi, Betty Michels-McMahon
My father in law was on the cover of Life Magazine receiving communion on Mt Surbibachi.
Could you please tell me more about him. ThankYou! Maria J. Adams
A local person has a captured Japanese flag that was autographed by a number of people at the flag raising on Iwo Jima including Ira Hayes. Does anyone know or have heard of thsi flag? Thanks
Apparently several of us believe the man to the left with his hat in the air is our relative.
Our family believes him to be Garland "Bulldog" Williams, an SEC football hero at the University of Georgia. Garland Williams was born on Sunday, August 21, 1921 in Parkin , AR and he was a famous NFL player as well. The story he told us was that his fellow soldier Brooks Pierce of Chickamauga, Georgia was carrying the flag up the hill but was shot down just before another soldier picked up the flag and continued onward. Bulldog's widow, Katherine Williams is still living in Alpharetta, Georgia.
My Father was Ira Hayes, not the guy who raised the flag on Iwo Jima in 1945, but who was Chief Gunner on the USS Nevada at Iwo Jima. He deserves just as much as respect as Ira Hayes on Iwo Jima. Let's respect and honor all of the men in WWII.
Please send me a picture of the flag raising on Iwo Jima with Ira Hayes and the code talkers clearly marke - with some comments about Ira Hayes and the other code talkers - this would be very much appreciated - please send this is SlvrStarrLite@aol.com.
Thank you - Kay Shiver
Hi Horace!
My name is Craig and 'am doing research on Iwo Jima. I'm trying to find the actual battle order of the LSTs on Beach Green, especially the last 2 or 3 LSTs closest to Mt. Suribachi.Who and what were they carrying
In answer to the question about the picture that shows a large group after the flag raising, as you face the picture the man on the far left standing in back of Ira Hayes with his helment in the air is Howard Dutton, my father's step brother.
On the large group photo shoot under the flag.... the individual in front of Bradleys left shoulder with rifle raised high and hand outstretched on knee is S/SGT Robert Koelher.
I am a former Navy Hospital Corpsman myself, and ever since I first was able to use that title I have been proud to bear that title. But not really for myself, I feel the pride that I had a thin invisible thread to men like John Bradley. I have been fortunate in my life to have the honor and responsibility to live in their shadow. I still take my oath as seriously as when I first gave it.
Question In the picture that shows a large group after the flag raising there is soldier on the far left holding his helment up in the air. Does anyone know the idenity of that soldier? My father always insisted that that was him. It looks exactly like him. Well anyway if any information on this [my father, Nick Stengel Sr.] please contact me. Any information would be helpful, thank you.
Ira Hayes-Pima Indian from Bapchue, Az. was with the 27th Regt.-5th Marine Division; in addition there was a Navajo Code Talker-Teddy Draper, Sr. from the 27th Regt.-5th Marine Division. These two American Indians, along with the Navajo Code Talkers were all on Mt.Suribachi during the Special Day of the Flag-Raising events, sending Navajo Codes.(207 Code Talker).
Mark Hacala (8/26+2811): There is one closeup of Bradley holding the flag pole with both hands and there doesn't appear to be any harness showing by his neck/back. Another closeup shows he has a .45 and a holster seems to be on the 2nd Flag Raising photo.
The helmets I think have removable liners that could be mistaken for a cap.
Hansen (3rd Platoon) a first flag raiser with Schrier and Thomas (3rd Platoon), was mistaken for Block (2nd Platoon) by Gagnon (runner) and Bradley (3rd Platoon) went along with. Could be, since a Colonel ordered Hayes (2nd Platoon) to keep quiet about Block, the same order may have been given to Gagnon and Bradley (and Schrier). Evidently, Bradley didn't know Block since they were in different platoons.
If that's not Bradley in the 2nd Raising then who is it? And that would mean witnesses weren't telling the truth, and why? On Schrier's Navy Cross citation it credits Schrier and Thomas with the actual 1st flag (pole) "raising" when Hansen raised it too (not Lindberg or the others). Could it be Bradley "raised" the 1st flag? Lindberg called himself a "flag raiser" but it didn't take six to raise the first flag (this explains the citation).
My brother was a combat platoon corpsman, he carried an engineer bag instead of a Unit 1 which couldn't hold all the supplies he needed; 2 corpsmen per platoon. Bradley was with Langley, 3rd platoon, but Ziehme evidently took Langley's (wia?) place for Suribachi.
Mark Hacala (8/26/11): As a former corpsman, you made a remarkable observation: that it doesn't look like Bradley in the 2nd Raising photo. I believe a clearer photo of the 2nd Raising is available. The person doing the Bradley IDing here didn't show that Bradley has a .45 in a first flag photo. There appears something on the right leg of the person ID'ed as Bradley in the 2nd Raising (knife/holster?).
Facts: Harlon Block was wrongly ID'd as Henry Hansen in the 2nd Raising by Gagnon and Bradley. Hayes complained, and was ordered to keep quiet throughout the 7th Bond Tour (he was transfered before it was over !). Hayes walked many miles from his home over a year later to tell Block's dad that it was Block and not Hansen which led to an federal investigation and correction.
More facts: In the "Gung Ho", 2nd Raising photo, L-R, #8, is Corpsman Gerald (Jerry) Ziehme who went up Mt. Suribachi with Bradley. Like Ray Jacobs, F/2/28 (Schrier's radioman on Suribachi), Ziehme had to fight to get his photo recognition on Mt. Suribachi for many years. You can see Jacob's and Ziehme's photo/story on the Net. daviddddd@yahoo.com
Dave Wood (3/24/10): I read about Army Pfc George Burns from Yank Magazine who covered Marine amphibious landings and wondered if he was on the 40-man patrol? He took photos of the 1st U.S. flag [Flag Raisers-Schrier, Thomas, and Hansen(?)].
Army Sgt Reed did the Yank Magazine story (3/45) about Mt Suribachi with no mention of Pfc Burns(?), which is probably from Burn's info/photos.
PS Pfc Burns is photoed/documented with the 1st U.S. flag.
daviddddd@yahoo.com
My husbands grandfather was there, when the first flag went up, he is in a couple of the pictures above.
Hi Ernest. Excited to know that you knew my father on Iwo Jima. He was always been very proud to be a marine. all marines that fought on iwo jima are definitely heroes to this country. can you shed any more light on how you knew my dad Nickolas Stengel. Do you have a email address i can write or a phone number i can call? i have some information you might be interested in abut iwo Jima.
My dad an Iwo vet just turned 87 on Nov. 14, 2011. I was taken aback by your post and let me say your dad was a hero and I'm glad he is your hero also. May he rest in peace.Semper Fi from one Iwo vet son to another.
Bill Pentangelo
NJ
My dad passed away November 16 2011, He was 86 years old, He was in the RECON Third Marine Division PFC. He was on top of Mt.suribachi only yards away from the flag raising, he was one of the guys in the Group Picture of the {3th. 4th. and 5th} marine divisions. He also served in the Korean war after the Marines in the U.S.Army as a corporal... He was a great guy... He is my Hero...........I will miss him dearly
The comment posted by Maira J. Adams (my wife) was about my father Lt. Eugene J. Adams, 5th Marine Division. "Gino" as he was called by friends, is the Marine in the "Faith Lives on Iwo Jima" picture who is on his knees recieving Holy Communion. This picture was published on the cover of Life magazine in 1945, the March issue, I believe. In the article that accompanied the picture, there are excerpts of a letter that my father wrote home to his mother Florence, in Santa Cruz, CA. Amoung other things, Eugene told his mother in the letter "We are giving the Japenese hell..." and "don't worry about me, I'll be alright." Eugene was one of the 40 or so Marines who were at the top of Suribachi for the flag raisings. The one Navy Corpsman among the 6 "Flag Raisers" (Bradley, I believe) was assigned to my father's platoon. Later in the Battle of Iwo Jima, my father was awarded a Bronze Star, which I still have. Like most of the men who fought on that horrible rock, Eugene declined to talk about his experiences there. While my brother and sisters and I have several items that he brought home from Iwo Jima, we never had the personal desriptions of that part of his life that we would have liked to have. Only after Eugene passed away did we begin to learn more of the details of what we always knew to be somewhat of a family legacy, if a little bit of a mysterious one. People around Santa Cruz will remember Eugene as a successful attorney, avid outdoorsman and family man. I suppose thats how he wanted to be remembered, rather than as a war hero. I will always be gratefull to the USMC for sending a color guard of Marines from Pendleton, in full Dress Blues, to give him a 21-Gun salute at his funeral. Rest in peace, Dad. TOM
Additionally, in the Rosenthal photo, it appears that PhM2c Bradley is wearing a soft cover (utility cap) beneath his helmet. The Hospital Corpsman in these images clearly is not.
I can't say I am convinced that the individual in the photos of the first flag raising is the same as the figure of Bradley in the photo of the second. I say this for several reasons...
1. In the latter photo, the Unit 3's are not present. Granted, he could have taken them off between raisings.
2. The Hospital Corpsman figure on whom you're focusing in the photos of the first raising has a harness attached to his war belt. Look in the first photo above and you'll see it beneath the letter "A" and under the crossed shoulder straps for the Unit 3's. This harness was attached by four clips to the belt, two in front, two in back. It would have been enough of an effort to remove these and completely change the way he wore his war belt that it's hard to conceive of him doing this in a combat environment. Hence, even if he took off the Unit 3's, we'd still see the harness in the second raising pic.
3. The jungle first aid kit and battle dressing pouch identified in both photos were standard issue to all, Hospital Corpsmen and Marines alike.
4. The helmet cover of the person of interest in the first raising photos is very loose and baggy and belies the actual shape of the helmet. The helmet cover on Bradley's helmet in the second raising shot is molded tightly to the helmet, making a clear silhouette of it.
5. The bracelet, which may or may not have been medical, is not visible in the Rosenthal shot.
6. Images of the first raising figure do not show whether or not there was a canteen pouch at the Hospital Corpsman's right side (it could be hidden but we don't know). The photo of Bradley in the second raising clearly shows an empty canteen pouch on the right, as Bradley had not long before given his canteen to a patient.
Hello,
My dad was present for the lst flag raising and was killed on Iwo Jima on March 3, 1945.
I've been trying to locate the 40 names on the Roster of Easy Company that put up the lst flag on February 25, 1945, do you have this list or could you
help me?
I also collect all other items and information which I can get regarding iwo Jima so if you have somethings please feel free to share what you want with me.
Thanks,
Jerry Bivens
14561 Tejon Street
Broomfield, CO 80023
720.271.1941
jerryrbivens@msn.com
I have a scrapbook of the soilders that raised the flag and some of the fun stuff they did on the Island. I think prehaps one of the marine wife kept the articles. I have the menus, what they did for fun, a marine lounging, movie menu, the chaplians praying for the soilders that were deceased, a list of the deceased, missing and the wounded from every state. We should all get together and write a book. the articles came from the Leatherneck 1942 issues, alontg with some interviews by Rothenthal the photographer.
THANK YOU ALL! ITS THE SACRIFICE OF GREAT MEN THAT ALLOWS ME TO ENJOY THE LIFE I HAVE!
Saddens me to not see my Uncle Joe on this website. He posed for this monument, I think replacing Harlon Block. He is the bottom man on re-creating this historic event. I have the original black and white pictures of all the men including Felix de Weldon. They pose between two houses in a driveway. The first sculpture was about three feet tall and made of a white material. Joe was my Mother's brother. Elbert Warden Hinkle. I also have the map of Iwo Jima, the same one that appeared on Pawn Stars. I remember telling my fifth grade teacher about him and got sent to the office for lying..My Mom brought the pictures up to show her..What an expression on her face. Maybe I'll post these on here for all to see..The Felix de Weldon museum said that no pictures were taken of this event...David
that was your father myself also usmc stengal that was him i talked to iwo surviors and iwo was brought up on the 1st flag raising and for some reason or anther the topic brought at a fellow marines funeral.also early age same topic from ww2 vets. marines /island hoppers but your father is the marine in photo semper fidelis pvt. e.h. gay gulf war era 1/25/4.
When I was 15, in 1959, I went to work Harden grocery. The owner was Hollis Harden. Hollis's son-in-law, Eddie Sears told me that Hollis was one of the flag raisers in the first raising. Does anyone know of him?
We have a copy of these pictures in our family picture box. My uncle, Frank Russo, is in the picture with the many men and the flag. He is the one on the very right with his helmet on. I wish he were still alive to see these pictures and comments.
my father, John Richard Quinn, aka "Quinny," Jack, or Doc Quinn, was a Navy Corpsman 4th Marines who landed at Iwo Jima. He claims to have witnessed the raising of the flag, however I don't know enough of his company's movements to determine his position.
anyone with info on the 4th Marine Division at Iwo?
thanks
JQ
What would you say if i had pictures of iwo jima and picture of the raising of the flag?
My father, Ogle T. Lemon, was a member of the 2nd Squad, 3rd Platoon, Company E, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division who assaulted Mount Suribachi and planted the FIRST FLAG on Mount Suribachi.
Excellent reading about this event can be found in a hardcopy edition of American Heritage Magazine, Volume XV, Number 4, June, 1964. The article was written by Richard Wheeler in order to document the flag raising that occurred prior to the photo-op flag raising so notable in history. Richard Wheeler was a corporal in the 1st squad.
I would appreciate the distribution of this information in order to help complete the documented history of Iwo Jima and the brave marines who fought there.
Danny Lemon
My father was on Iwojima and landed on February 22nd, debarking from the U.S.S. Knox. According to his records, he was in the 28th replacement draft. What was a replacement draft & what was its function? Does anyone have any idea. Thanks.
I feel like writing here about how thankful I am to Pfc Donald Jack Ruhl, as well. Trying to stay entertained, I just watched a documentary about Iwo Jima on Netflix. Disappointed that I didn't hear my Grandfather's name concerning the charge up the hill, I began a little researching on Google. Even though I didn't find much info aside from his name printed, I was excited to see a photograph of my Grandfather, Pfc Robert Donald Goode, whom I never knew and have only ever seen two, maybe three images. The photo was taken, I think, just as the group took it's first steps up the slope.
Here's the link, Mom...
http://carol_fus.tripod.com/marines_hero_ray_jacobs.html
... fourth or fifth image from the top of the page, under the section heading "Up Suribachi"
The second man at the top of the charge and carrying a flame thrower is my Grandpa Goode. I wish I could see his face.
And so my searching for more info has lead me to this forum, reading my own Mother's post and learning that my Grandfather's life was once saved by his best friend.
If Donald Jack Ruhl hadn't taken that particular grenade, neither my Mother nor myself would exist to even consider any other scenario.
This is very interesting and important. Suggest you submit it to the Leatherneck Magazine for all Marines to see. Thank you for your efforts!
I to have the same situation a family member pasted. When we where cleaning out things we came across a picture of the flag raising at the top of the mountain of Iwa Jima. Did you find someone to authenticate your pictures?
My grandfather was on the beach when the flag(s?) went up. he had been shot in the thigh. i have no idea if there are any photographs of him on Iwo or anyother information besides the 60 year old mailings his parents got when he was wounded. sadly i never got to know him, he died years before my parents started dating. he became a police officer in Newark NJ after the war. Rest in Peace George Phillip Reilly, PFC 4th Marine Division. Semper Fi
My Dad was with the 5th Division, 26th marines , he was on the third wave that landed at the foot of Suribachi. He can remember it like yesterday. He can remember what he and his squad did and where they went on the island. He was a Cpl. when they landed there. Submited for Jason E.(Jay or JE) Goains, Texas.
In the photo of Marines attending Mass, to the right of your square, the face immediately left of the Chaplain's head would to me make a good likeness of Ira Hayes.
My uncle, Colonel Don Hittle, served on the Third Marine Division staff on Iwo. Although as many veterans of the battle have testified, everywhere on Iwo was the "front lines," the Third Division Staff bunker was somewhat more safe than being in a rifle squad up ahead. Thus, when one of Don'e enlisted clerks repeatedly requested permission to join a rifle outfit up ahead, he very reluctantly gave the young marine his permission. That marine clerk was killed in action serving as a rifleman. Don himself received the Purple Heart, but survived the war and commanded a Regiment on occupation duty in China after the war, where his unit was engaged in skirmishes with Communist troops in north China. In the mid-1950s, Colonel Hittle was one of a handful of Marine officers advising Congress on the viability of the US Marine Corps during a time when President Eisenhower and others believed that the Corps was no longer needed. The son of a Michigan Congressman, Colonel Hittle prepared compelling testimony to Congress for more than one year and has thus been described in one USMC history as the "man who saved the Marine Corps" for helping to convince Congress that the Marines continued to play a unique role in our national security as the only mobile amphibious assault force in the armed forces. In 1968, Don was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs and retired as Brigadier General. He became a journalist, contributing columns to the Navy Times and the Copely News Service, a lobbyist on Capital Hill (he was instrumental in getting the Congress to support the funding and acquisition of a new dynamic vehicle to replace the jeep, which lated became famously known as the "Humvee"), and he served on the Boards of many companies, including Pan Am Airways. One of his pet projects was to get a Navy ship named in honor of the young marine clerk he had lost on Iwo, which was successfully accomplished in the 1980s. He served many years as President and President Emeritus of the Army-Navy Club in Washington D.C. and oversaw the complete renovation of the club home in dowtown Washington. He died in 2003 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetary
We have one of the first flag group living here in Oswego, Il named Pfc Dick Young. He's 87 and losing some of his memories of the event. Does anybody remember Dick and his role in getting the first flag to the top? If so I'll pass on to him any comments. Thanks very much.
Brave men. Interesting story.
Chris Bradley, Hogebeintum, The Netherlands.
After the death of my uncle in 2004 a cousin uncovered a copy of the Joe Rosenthall photo of the platoon. My Uncle, Dagbert Italo (Dauby)Paolinelli is pictured 2nd row, 2nd from right with his Garand held high. Does anyone have a complete roster of the Platoon that accended To raise the flag?
What a great set of photos and explanations!!!
The author mentions "soldiers" several times in his writing. These MARINES may have been called "soldiers of the sea" at one time or another but they are MARINES...and a few blessed Navy Corpsmen.
John Wear
Sgt 3rd Tanks
Vietnam '68 - '69
My father, PFC E.C. Potter also served in G Co., 2/24. I too would love to have a photo of the unit or communicate with anyone
that may have known of him.
In the Mass photo 2nd from left is Lt. Carl Erasmus Padovano. G company I think. Not sure that this photo is actually taken on Mt. Suribachi....any confirmation is greatly appreciated.
My father Lt. John P. Saylor was the communications officer on the U.S.S. Missoula, the ship that transported the 28th Battalion, 5th Division of the U.S. Marines (including Sgt. Michael Strank, a fellow resident of Johnstown, PA) to Iwo Jima. According to the ship's log, these Marines were assigned to take Mt. Suribachi. When the Missoula's Captain challenged Colonel Johnson of the USMC to joist the Stars and Stripes on the summit, my father secured the needed flag and presented it to the departing Marines. This flag, I believe, was the first one raised on Mt. Suribachi as shown in the Lou Lowry photograph.
My father was elected the the U.S. House of Representatives in 1949 and served until his death in 1973. He remained in the Navy Reserves and achieved the rank of Captain. He was a strong advocate for Veterans throughout his service in Congress. Dad will be inducted into the Cambria County PA Veterans Hall of Fame in September.
My great uncle was in the battle of IWO JIMA and he passed a few years ago. I found a photo of the flad rasing. I have also many many more photos from his time there. How to do go about getting these authenticated and find a collector intrested in them?
I have no military, I am sorry to say,and was medically deferred from service duty the year I graduated for high school...1967. My father, Clayton M. Pittman, and his 3 brothers are all gone now and they all did their part either at home, like my father did at Fort Knox as a range instructor, my favorate uncle George Carlyle Pittman did at Okenawa, my 3rd uncle Lovett Henry Pittman in Europe, and last but not least, the youngest of my 3 uncles, Maxwell D. Pittman in Europe as well....
They are all gone now but prior to their leaving us, many years back, I got each of them to tell me stories of their "duties" during and in WW2. I hope to God that our young men today are safe in their duties in our military. It seems like every day something comes out negative about our stance against waring enemy people that want to distroy our wonderful nation....
----GOD BLESS OUR NATION----
Prior to the death of a man that I befriended, he told me of his time in the Marines. I am a former marine who shared many similarities with this man (job type, both stationed at Camp Lejeune, and overall comaraderie of being former Marines). I have had the honor of aquiring memorbilia of his from his service. He was in the 1st wave on Iwo Jima. His name was Harold Jewell, Company F, 2nd Bat., 27th Marines, 5th Division. His daughters, who never heard their father utter a word about his time at war, are now desparately seeking information about him and his experiences on Iwo. With only a couple of V-mails and a couple of other papers describing the landing on Iwo, they are left with so many questions. How do I find his complete military record? Possible photos? Like all men that served, Harold is an American hero. His story is worth preserving for his family and friends.
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
My father was on the LST 809 during the landing at Iwo Jima.Is there anyone out there who served on board with him? His name is Russell Brady and was from Uniontown Pa.He has passed away. He would have been 91 this year.
Thanks and God Bless all of them.
Russ
MR. SHATTO. WOULD MY UNCLE CPL. EUGENE A. CASTANEDA HAPPEN TO BE ON THE UNIT ROSTER 2ND BN. 2/28TH REGT. 5TH MARINE DIV. NOT SURE WITH EASY CO.? WAS AT IWO AND WOUNDED AROUND MAR. 11TH. ANY INFO. WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED ! THANKS ERNIE SIMMONS E-MAIL esimmons18@charter.net
I served in Vietnam and I now own a security company in Sacramento, Cal. I have an employee that hit the beach at Iwo Jima and is still working. He is an outstanding human being and a great Marine....I only hope that one day I can be as good a man as Dale is...Semper Fi Dale Cox.......Dales fate was changed that Feb day when he lost many good Marines....He is my friend and I am very grateful for his service to our Country and Corps....
My Father served on Iwo. Was waounded in action on 21 feb. mortor shapnel to the rt butt cheek. He was a .30 cal light MG crewman.Many years ago on the 50th anniversery of the Iwo battle, PARADE mag. did a story. Capt Severence the E co CO who sent his guys up the mountain had maintain the unit rosters for the Bn. He supplied me with a lot of info. we thought we saw our dad on the gung ho shoot, but Col (ret) Severence, provided me info on my dads wounds and even what LST he arrived on. He never made it off the beach before being wounded and evaced.I have unit muster rolls. I will dig them out and try t find some of the names mentioned above. I just received my dads complete military per file from the NRC. Thanks to Col Severence and all the Marines that sacrficed and served our great country. SEMPER FI devil dogs! I'll look up on the roster and recontact you later. FYI. If they wernt in Easy Co 2nd Bn 28th Marine Rgt, 5th Marine Div...they wern't up on Suribachi.
You might want to write to leo champagne 2106 thornton terrace the villages, florida 32162 (doesn't have an e-mail). Leo was in the first group who carried up the first flag. believe he may be the last one living of that first group. he is just starting to come out and speak about this as, feeling, he may be the last man alive, he wants the story to be known. He gave his story at our local rotary group. He has the japanese flag that they found on the ground at the top(blew down after all the bomblings)before they put up the first, smaller American flag. He is thinking of giving it to the marine museum at Quanico, virginia.
charlie couckuyt
My Uncle Howard is definitely the man on the left with his helmet in the air.... My grandmother was married to Patrick's grandfather.... My dad's name was Lewis, who was also a WWII vet, and died last year.
David Wood: I just stumbled across your comments regarding your stepfather, George Burns. I knew him well. I worked at a local electronics company (late 1970's) and used George's services when he owned Burns Photography on Central Ave. Albany, NY. One day after a long photo shoot in his studio, we had take out dinner brought into his conference room. There, plastered on every wall, were these incridible black and white WWII photos he shot. I was so excited, I called my Dad to come over immediately; he loved to hear war stories. We sat and talked for hours on end. My Dad told George he should write a book. George was gental and unassuming... a very good, genuine person. Do you still have his archive of photos? If so, did you ever consider publishing them in some form?
My grandfather, George William "Bill" Haynes was there. Does this name ring a bell to anyone? He was supposedly carrying the flag at some point.
Does anyone know if one of the men in the group photo may have been Ray King Wilson from Oklahoma? He is listed with this company, but reported killed a few days later, apparently while clearing a landing strip. According to family lore, he helped in the raising. I am looking for any info! thanks
My grandfather is believed to be in the "Gung Ho" photo taken immediately after the 2nd flag raising. Joe Rosenthal took the photo and Bill Genaust captured it on video. Anyone with information about Aubrey Roberts who was part of the 1st platoon, E company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Regiment, 5th Division please contact me. He was wounded twice the 2nd time seriously on the northwest part of the island on March 11th in the Nishi ridge area.
My Stepfather was an ARMY photographer with photos of the first flag raising. He's no longer alive, never complained his photos were not used and never complained his name is nowhere in the history books. One of many reason to believe his recalling of the 2nd flag having been requested by Marines atop Mt. Suribachi. George Burns was his name. He explained to Joe Rosenthal the photos of the first flag raising and it was decided to do another with a larger flag. He said the call went down to a Navy ship for a larger flag. It took about 20 minutes or so to reach the top once requested. I've seen George in video from the eventful day but never any mention of him, other than "an Army photographer". He felt it was a Marine event and that may be why the Army guy has been left out of history. (Maybe the Texas School Board had something to do with it?)
I just find it a shame that after all these years the truth is still unknown.
PS The larger flag made a better photo for sure! I own original prints of both flags being raised.
Impresionante lo que hicierón estos hombres, enfrentarse a un enemigo tan duro y fanatico como el japones en suelo sagrado nipon.
Conocí la historia a traves del libro de James Bradley, sabia de esta batalla pero nunca imagine que fue tan terrible. Mi más profundo respeto y admiración a ambos ejercitos. Los americanos por conseguir frenar isla a isla la locura de invasión japonesa y a los nipones por defender hasta el ultimo hombre una isla considerada suelo sagrado nipon.
My husband's grandfather is in the picture of all the guys smiling and holding up guns. He is still alive today but doesn't talk about Iwo. He is closest to the middle, smiling and holding up his gun. His name is Earnest (Phil) Phillips. He lives in Birmingham, AL. today.
My grandfather was an Iwo Survivor, there was a picture of hit with a japanese flag... I would love to know more he passed away while I was still pretty young and I really wish I could have had more time with him to hear stories... His name was Taylor Locke if anyone has any information I would really love to hear it.
thanks
-Jason Meredith
My Dad, Herman Fulford, was a Phar. Mate 2nd class. Assignment was LST #731 at The Battle. I never really knew what all those heros experienced except a few letters, a vial of Iwo sand, some Japanese medicine vials, and a photo taken near one of the caves. I only asked him once about Iwo and all he said was,"It was a mess". Nothing more. Somehow he ended up inland due to a shortage of Corpsman like John Bradley. Such is war. Before he passed, in 1983, he was estatic to know that he was going to have a Grandaughter. Sadly he died two months to the day before she was born. To all "Boomers" from the Great Generation, we must pass on what our parents and relatives accomplished. We owe it to ourselves and future generations of Iwo Heroes.
Hi Connie...my Father was there also, very close by. I've been looking through the pictures but probably wouldn't recognize hime. He survived the war, but not the memories. He committed suicide at 36, five days after my second birthday.
Thanks to all those Iwo vets who fought for all of us in a just cause,what brave people these are to go to war,my uncle is buried in Normandy,thanks again
Long live these guys, these great heroes!
my father andrew h. hansen is also in the photograph of the flag rasing on iwo. he is in the center left portion of the group with his left hand on his knee and his right hand in the air holding what i think is a m-1 carbine.
Pfc Robert Donald Goode of California is my father. He was part of that 40-Marine patrol who scaled to the top of Mt Suribachi. He operated a flame-thrower and was attached to the Fifth Division, 28th Reg., Easy Co., 3rd Platoon. Pfc Donald Jack Ruhl of Montana was one of his best friends. I feel to say that all of our Marines were tremendous heroes, and I am thankful for each and every one of them. If Pvt Ruhl had not taken that enemy grenade in his gut on 21 Feb 1945, which killed him, my father would likely not have survived the war and I would not be sitting here writing about him. Semper Fi to all Marines, and thank you also to the Army units that also served on Iwo Jima during that terrible struggle. God Bless America's Heroes.
I haven't been to this website lately. It's really great and I was just looking at all the photos. My father is in the photo of the 1st Flag Raising. His name is misspelled. Could it be corrected? His name is Pfc. James Michels (there is no "a" in Michels). He is in the foreground with the carbine. Thank you in advance. God Bless all of our servicemen and servicewomen. Semper-fi, Betty Michels-McMahon
My father in law was on the cover of Life Magazine receiving communion on Mt Surbibachi.
Could you please tell me more about him. ThankYou! Maria J. Adams
i know joe, i did a report on iwo jima for my history major in college. If you go to wwii.com you can find him under iwo jima
i know joe, i did a report on iwo jima for my history major in college. If you go to wwii.com you can find him under iwo jima
Anyone know or heard of Joe Arledge. He is my father and a veteran of Iwo. Seeking info on same. Thanks.
MY DAD WAS THERE WHEN THEY PUT THE FLAG UP, HOW COOL WOULD THAT BE IF I COULD SEE HIM IN THESE PICTURES....HE WAS AT THE BOTTOM WATCHING THEM....
A local person has a captured Japanese flag that was autographed by a number of people at the flag raising on Iwo Jima including Ira Hayes. Does anyone know or have heard of thsi flag? Thanks
This really helpped me for my project. god bless america
Apparently several of us believe the man to the left with his hat in the air is our relative.
Our family believes him to be Garland "Bulldog" Williams, an SEC football hero at the University of Georgia. Garland Williams was born on Sunday, August 21, 1921 in Parkin , AR and he was a famous NFL player as well. The story he told us was that his fellow soldier Brooks Pierce of Chickamauga, Georgia was carrying the flag up the hill but was shot down just before another soldier picked up the flag and continued onward. Bulldog's widow, Katherine Williams is still living in Alpharetta, Georgia.
My grandfather was also on the hill that historic day, he was guarding the guy raising the flag, does anyone know Bernard Rawlins?
The army will have the information
The army will have the information
I believe that one of the marines in the first flag raising is Walter (Red) Stackowitz.
Craig; Email me horace@industrial-sales.com or call 251 625 0200. I have a picture of thaat group and can email you What is your interest?
My Father was Ira Hayes, not the guy who raised the flag on Iwo Jima in 1945, but who was Chief Gunner on the USS Nevada at Iwo Jima. He deserves just as much as respect as Ira Hayes on Iwo Jima. Let's respect and honor all of the men in WWII.
Please send me a picture of the flag raising on Iwo Jima with Ira Hayes and the code talkers clearly marke - with some comments about Ira Hayes and the other code talkers - this would be very much appreciated - please send this is SlvrStarrLite@aol.com.
Thank you - Kay Shiver
Hi Horace!
My name is Craig and 'am doing research on Iwo Jima. I'm trying to find the actual battle order of the LSTs on Beach Green, especially the last 2 or 3 LSTs closest to Mt. Suribachi.Who and what were they carrying
Thanks,
Craig
In answer to the question about the picture that shows a large group after the flag raising, as you face the picture the man on the far left standing in back of Ira Hayes with his helment in the air is Howard Dutton, my father's step brother.
On the large group photo shoot under the flag.... the individual in front of Bradleys left shoulder with rifle raised high and hand outstretched on knee is S/SGT Robert Koelher.
I am a former Navy Hospital Corpsman myself, and ever since I first was able to use that title I have been proud to bear that title. But not really for myself, I feel the pride that I had a thin invisible thread to men like John Bradley. I have been fortunate in my life to have the honor and responsibility to live in their shadow. I still take my oath as seriously as when I first gave it.
The\flag on Iwo came off mu LST 779 as you documented Flags of our fathers. I have a multiple ofm pictures of my LST there if it would be of interes.
Question In the picture that shows a large group after the flag raising there is soldier on the far left holding his helment up in the air. Does anyone know the idenity of that soldier? My father always insisted that that was him. It looks exactly like him. Well anyway if any information on this [my father, Nick Stengel Sr.] please contact me. Any information would be helpful, thank you.
Ira Hayes-Pima Indian from Bapchue, Az. was with the 27th Regt.-5th Marine Division; in addition there was a Navajo Code Talker-Teddy Draper, Sr. from the 27th Regt.-5th Marine Division. These two American Indians, along with the Navajo Code Talkers were all on Mt.Suribachi during the Special Day of the Flag-Raising events, sending Navajo Codes.(207 Code Talker).