Members of 40 man patrol planting first American flag at Iwo Jima

Members of 40 man patrol planting first American flag at Iwo Jima

World War II
Iwo Jima, Battle of, 1945
Soldiers
Ernest "Boots" Thomas Jr.

Accompanying note: "Louis R. Lowery's photo of members of the 40 man patrol that planted the first American flag on top of Mt. Suribachi, on Iwo Jima Feb. 23, 1945 10:20 AM. Sgt. Ernest 'Boots' Thomas, of Monticello, platoon leader, was killed a week later while calling in fire support for his men. The raising of a larger flag 4 hours later was immortalized by AP photographer Joe Rosenthal. His photo was used for the creation of the Iwo Jima Marine Corps War Memorial sculpture near Arlington Cemetery in VA."

State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory

1945

PR14079

Iwo Jima (Volcano Islands, Japan)