The other day I heard Pop mention that he’s been especially looking forward to the Marine Corps birthday this year because it marks the 250th anniversary of its founding. He said he’s also been meaning to post a reminder of the correction that has been around since former Commandant of the Marine Corps General Robert Neller (2015-2019) formally announced it nine years ago, although it doesn’t appear to have received much notice.
In 2016 the Marine Corps officially corrected the record of the names of the men who performed the second flag raising on Iwo Jima’s Mount Suribachi as shown in Joe Rosenthal’s iconic photograph.
The six Marines who raised that flag were Ira Hayes, Mike Strank, Harlon Block, Harold Keller, Harold Schultz and Franklin Sousley.
Pop said it isn’t surprising that the identity of those fellas was confused during a brief respite to the chaos of combat.
Arguably more important was the first flag raising accomplished by a patrol of Marines identified as Harold Schrier, Ernest Thomas, Henry “Hank” Hansen, Charles Lindberg, Phil Ward, Raymond Jacobs, James Michaels, and Navy Corpsman John Bradley four days after the Marine’s amphibious assault began. It should be noted that Rene Gagon (misidentified in the Rosenthal photo as was John Bradley and Hank Hansen) was tasked with carrying the larger second flag that was raised and retrieving the smaller first flag.
Pop says that what’s most important to remember is that, although some names got shuffled around during the fog of war, all these fellas were just Marines doing what they were told. The sight of that first flag on top of Mount Suribachi was a motivating factor for all the Marines to press on with the battle and eventually secure the entire island thirty two days later. And their efforts still motivate Marines to this day.