The two historic American flags that the U.S. Marines raised atop Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima are displayed at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va. (National Museum of the Marine Corps)
The two American flags that U.S. Marines raised atop Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima are displayed at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va., commemorating one of the fiercest battles in World War II.
Each year, the museum briefly displays the two historic flags together to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima. Visitors have a rare chance to see them side by side in the World War II gallery through March 26, the day the battle ended in 1945.
The NMMC preserves both historic flags from the battle in its collection, including the first American flag raised atop Mount Suribachi on Feb. 23, 1945. The second flag raised later that day remains on permanent display at the museum.
“It is the first flag that holds greater significance to the Marines and sailors who were fighting on the island that day,” said retired Marine Col. Keil Gentry, the director of the museum.
During the battle, roughly 70,000 Marines fought for 36 days against the Imperial Japanese Army to secure the island, according to the NMMC. Their victory was first symbolized by the raising of a small American flag atop Mount Suribachi.
“Its significance was driven home to me earlier this year by an Iwo Jima veteran who witnessed that moment firsthand,” Gentry said. “He described the cacophony of sound as hundreds of ships across the fleet blasted their horns upon seeing the first flag, signifying another step toward victory in World War II.”
A larger flag eventually replaced the first. This moment was captured by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal, and the photograph gained worldwide recognition as a powerful symbol of the courage and sacrifice of the Marines.
The iconic image taken by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal of U.S. Marines raising the U.S. flag on the top of Mount Suribachi Feb. 23, 1945. (Anna Morelock/National Archives)
