Can You Call Yourself an American. Identify This Picture

Joe Rosenthal
Washington DC
Iwo Jima

have you ever wondered about this picture, or seen this statue and thought to yourself, i wonder what is the meaning behind it? the man responsible for these works is Joe Rosenthal. a press photographer. On february 23rd 1945, during the battle for Iwo Jima, on the peak of mount Suribachi, a small american flag was hoisted by US marines. a few hours later, their colonel wanted a bigger flag in it's place. so as to be seen by all american troops around the island, he stated that he'd better get the small one back. he sent 6 marines to replace the flag. there they met joe rosenthal and explained their orders for the replacement. a marine photographer carrying a motion picture camera by the name of bill genaust was with them. He and Joe were preparing to get their shots when bill asked joe if he was in his way. Joe replied, no that's fine bill hey there it goes! Joe swung around, lifted his camera and barely got this shot. it was 31 days before iwo jima was won, and 3 of the 6 marines in the photo died in combat. Rosenthal's image would become famous and eventually be replicated into a statue at the US marine corps war memorial which is near arlington national cemetery “Iwo Jima Flag”