God Bless the noble souls of those “Honorable” US Marines from the Fifth Division who fought on Iwo Jima, gave the last full measure of devotion to their country on Iwo Jima, those who raised the flag atop Mount Suribachi pictured below, those “Honorable” US Marines who have gone before us, those “Honorable” US Marines still in combat in Afghanistan today, and those who continue to defend and protect the US Constitution!!!  Semper Fidelis. 


72 years ago today

“Not with a rope, but with Blood and Toil is the flag raised, and Devotion only can keep it aloft.”

U.S. Marines of the 28th Regiment, 5th Division raise the American flag atop Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima, 23 February 1945 

Joe Rosenthal's famous photo of the second flag raising on Mount Suribachi. On Feb. 23, 1945, in the middle of one of the fiercest battles of World War II, a group of U.S. Marines carried a flag up the highest peak on the Pacific island of Iwo Jima and planted it there. Since 1947, the Marine Corps has attached six names to the famous flag-raising photo taken that day. And it says the case is closed.

The Six named Marines, left-right
Ira Hayes, Franklin Sousley, Michael Strank, John Bradley, Rene Gagnon and Harlon Block. 
or - Ira Hayes, Harold Shultz, Michael Strank, Frank Sousley, Rene Gagnon and Harlon Brock
(dataomaha.com

From the Frederick Stevens Collection (COLL/5289) at the Marine Corps Archives and Special Collections.
(Official USMC Photograph)