This well-known photo was taken by Joe Rosenthal of the Associated Press on February 23rd, 1945 on Mt. Surabachi, Iwo Jima. As you can see, it depicts five US marines raising the United States flag on the summit after defeating the Japanese forces on the island. This was the second flag raising of the day, the first flag being too small and warranting a replacement. And so, as Joe Rosenthal saw in his peripheral vision the flag starting to rise, he dropped to the ground, swung the camera into view and snapped a picture. Having no idea, what it looked like, when the photo was developed it was widely recieved and was awarded a Pulitzer Prize. The picture was a really moving moment for our country, finally taking finishing off the epic comeback starting in 1943. Before then, the Pacific theater looked bleak, and that America would lose the war. However, this photo encapsulated the sentiment that America had achieved victory in the war. Personally, it makes me think of the personal sacrifice these five marines gave for their country, knowning that three of the men died shortly thereafter in the ensuing final conflict. One of these men, Franklin Sousley was born in Hill Top, Fleming County, Kentucky and he is the second man from the left.
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