Three photos were taken on this day in 1945 at the same location, one of which has become an immediately identifiable icon. It’s the photo of six Marines hoisting a flag at Iwo Jima.
As WWII progressed, American forces set their sights on capturing Iwo Jima, a dormant volcanic island 700 miles southeast of Japan and a part of the prefecture of Tokyo. The highest point on the island was Mount Suribachi. At 546-feet, it provided a perfect vantage point for the Japanese to watch for any American bombers or naval deployment on Iwo Jima’s beaches.
America wanted this island because of its strategic location to the Japanese mainland. It would provide the perfect location for an air strip to allow planes to refuel and for the rescue of damaged B-29s. The battle for Iwo Jima was fierce with 22,000 Japanese soldiers in pillboxes, tunnels, and other fortified locations. When the battle began on February 19, 1945, 30,000 U.S. soldiers descended on Iwo Jima.
Four days later, American forces had captured Suribachi. Lieutenant Colonel Chandler W. Johnson, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division, ordered a platoon to take the crest of the mountain. When they did, three men erected the first American flag, declaring victory and possession of the mountain. Cheers erupted from the Marines. It’s 10:30 a.m. and the first picture is taken.
Judging by the reaction of the Marines, Johnson decided a larger flag should be in place, a 96×56 flag that could be seen all across the island. The AP photographer nearly missed this event. Without taking time to focus or even look through the viewfinder, he snapped the picture. This second picture of six Marines lifting the heavy flag and pole in place is the one that is seen today and has been the model for figurines, statues, and replicas.
The third photo is of 16 Marines and two Navy corpsmen around the flag. This photo and the first are seldom seen, being upstaged by the second.
In spite of this victory, the island was not considered fully secured for 30 days. When the dust of battle had settled, “Only 200 of the original 22,000 Japanese defenders were captured alive. More than 6,000 Americans died taking Iwo Jima, and some 17,000 were wounded.”1
Take a moment and read about another battle and the flag of victory that is lifted. Psalms 20:1-9 says, “The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; (2) Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; (3) Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah. (4) Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel. (5) We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners (flags): the LORD fulfil all thy petitions. (6) Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. (7) Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. (8) They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. (9) Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.”
Is there an Iwo Jima or a Mount Suribachi in your life? It could be a battlefield with a person or a situation. The odds seem insurmountable and the possibility of victory slim. We are not trusting in the weapons used to wage a war like WWII. We are not trusting people. We aren’t trusting our bank account, intelligence, resources, or anything else we think might win us a victory. We are placing our trust in the Lord, knowing that the victory is HIS.
May this be a day of raising flags of victory in God’s honor. Take a picture of it while you’re at it to preserve the moment for posterity.
1https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/u-s-flag-raised-on-iwo-jima
