IWO JIMA. JOE ROSENTHAL. Associated Press Photographer

A photographic reproduction of the Rosenthal photo of the flag raising on Iwo Jima, the most iconic photograph in military history, Signed in the clear area to the left of the flag raisers by three Medal of Honor recipients for heroism on Iwo Jima: Jack Lucas, George Walker and Herschell Williams. The black and white photograph measures 12 1/2 inches wide by 9 1/2 inches high.

When Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal started snapping pictures of the Marines putting up the large flag on the top of Mt. Suribachi he had no idea that he had captured the image that a war weary American public desperately needed -- a symbol of victory in a seemingly endless Pacific war where progress was measured in capturing islands no one had ever heard of and even fewer knew where they were. This photograph was tangible proof of an American victory; it was not known by the public at the time the terrible toll it had taken -- over 5,000 Marines killed (including three of the flag raisers) and 20,000 wounded.

One of the Marines who signed this photograph, Jack Lucas, was the youngest Marine to ever receive the Medal of Honor. He had fallen on two grenades to save other Marines and spent a lifetime struggling with the wounds he received. He was a close friend of Ken Rendell's, and a frequent speaker at his museum. The two stood together at one time on the exact spot where this photograph was taken.

This item is associated with these categories in our inventory:

• Military
• World War II