lynnb
Veteran
Joe Rosenthal's (AP) Pulitzer Prize winning photo of the flag raising on Iwo Jima on 23 February 1945 is one of the most iconic photos of WWII. Although faces are not visible in the photo, the Marines erecting the flag were identified and a bronze sculpture was erected in Arlington depicting their faces.
Now, over 70 years later it's been acknowledged that one of the Marines was mis-identified. Originally identified as John Bradley, a Marines investigation has concluded the man was private first class Harold Schultz, a self-effacing Mid-westerner who died in 1995.
Bradley's son's book about the flag-raising was used by Clint Eastwood to make a film about the event. An updated afterword is said to be forthcoming acknowledging the error.
The mis-identification was picked up by examining other photographs taken that day, which showed Bradley in tightly-cuffed trousers. The figure attributed to him in Rosethal's photo had uncuffed trousers. Schultz was identified by details of his helmet strap and rifle sling.
Rosenthal's famous photo was actually taken at the second flag-raising ceremony, using a bigger flag than the original. A photo of the original flag raising had been taken by SSgt. Louis R. Lowery of Leatherneck magazine who accompanied the patrol up the mountain. Bradley was in the original flag-raising party, but not in the second one that was the subject of Rosenthal's photo.
LA Times UK Telegraph
Now, over 70 years later it's been acknowledged that one of the Marines was mis-identified. Originally identified as John Bradley, a Marines investigation has concluded the man was private first class Harold Schultz, a self-effacing Mid-westerner who died in 1995.
Bradley's son's book about the flag-raising was used by Clint Eastwood to make a film about the event. An updated afterword is said to be forthcoming acknowledging the error.
The mis-identification was picked up by examining other photographs taken that day, which showed Bradley in tightly-cuffed trousers. The figure attributed to him in Rosethal's photo had uncuffed trousers. Schultz was identified by details of his helmet strap and rifle sling.
Rosenthal's famous photo was actually taken at the second flag-raising ceremony, using a bigger flag than the original. A photo of the original flag raising had been taken by SSgt. Louis R. Lowery of Leatherneck magazine who accompanied the patrol up the mountain. Bradley was in the original flag-raising party, but not in the second one that was the subject of Rosenthal's photo.
LA Times UK Telegraph
lynnb
Veteran
Bill Clark
Veteran
Here is what Joe Rosenthal said:
"I took the picture, the Marines took Iwo Jima."
Need anything else be said?
"I took the picture, the Marines took Iwo Jima."
Need anything else be said?
lynnb
Veteran
Very true, Bill. The Marines have never been about individualism.
My interest was in how small details in iconic photos can reveal surprises half a century or more after they were taken.