The men who raised that flag.
Came across this and thought it looked really cool.
Of the six men depicted in the picture, three (Franklin Sousley, Harlon Block, and Michael Strank) were killed during the battle; the three survivors (John Bradley, Rene Gagnon, and Ira Hayes) became celebrities upon their identification in the photo. Hayes was never comfortable with his new-found fame, however, and after his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps he descended into alcoholism. He died of exposure on January 24, 1955 after a night of drinking, and was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
John Bradley returned to his home town in the Midwest after the war, prospered as the owner of a family business, and gave generously of his time and money to local causes. He was married for 47 years and had eight children.
While Bradley had a public image as a war hero, he was a very private person. He avoided discussion of his war record saying only that the real heros were the men who gave their lives for their country.
The Global Media reported the death of a World War II icon on January 11, 1994 at the age of 70.
Rene Gagnon carried the flag up Mt. Suribachi.
Rene was modest about his achievement throughout his life.
Rene is honored with a special room in New Hampshire's prestigious Wright
Museum.
Rene is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, the Flag Raiser buried
closest to the Marine Corps Memorial.
I forgot to mention John Bradley was a U.S. Navy Corpsman. "Doc" Bradley was a Navy Corpsman who "just jumped in to lend a hand." He won the Navy Cross for heroism and was wounded in both legs.