The Story of Iwo Jima – How the Iconic Flag Moment Came To Be

by Maria Coffey

The story of Iwo Jima is one that is synonymous with American ideals. This small volcanic island became the stage for a moment that changed the American psyche—the raising of the flag on Mount Suribachi.

The iconic image that captured the story not only showed the triumph of one battle, but also of how a single image transformed into a symbol for a nation.

Setting the Stage:

Iwo Jima is a tiny volcanic island in the Pacific that lies between the Mariana Islands and Japan.

It has ash covered beaches, is roughly 4 2⁄3 miles by 2 1⁄2 miles and was critical for the U.S. at the time.

Strategically, the U.S. wanted its airfields to launch fighter escorts for B-29 bomber raids against mainland Japan and to provide an emergency landing site for damaged bombers—a necessity in an island-hopping campaign that was reshaping the war in the Pacific.

The Battle Unfolds

On February 19, 1945, American forces launched Operation Detachment with a massive amphibious assault.

U.S. Marines and Navy corpsmen had to deal with rough surf, steep volcanic slopes, and a beach littered with black ash that made movement just as challenging as the enemy fire raining down from the Japanese.

Lieutenant General Tadamichi Kuribayashi led the Japanese defenders by creating a labyrinth of caves, pillboxes, and underground tunnels designed to inflict maximum casualties on the invading forces.

This proved to be quite the challenge, as this battle lasted for over five weeks!

Every inch of the island was hard fought and the cost was enormous.

American casualties numbered over 26,000—with several thousand killed—while almost all of the roughly 21,000 Japanese defenders were wiped out in their desperate, last-ditch effort to hold the line.

The Iconic Flag Raising

Amid the relentless battle, a beacon of hope emerged on February 23, 1945. On the slopes of Mount Suribachi, Marines climbed under heavy enemy fire to plant an American flag—a small flag raised initially, quickly replaced by a larger one intended to be seen across the island.

This second flag-raising was captured by Joe Rosenthal and filmed by Marine Sergeant William Homer Genaust.

The image, depicting six flag raisers, quickly became an iconic symbol in American culture and was quickly used in posters to rally American support at home.

Propaganda and Cultural Impact

Within days, the photograph found it’s way to the pages of newspapers and became a centerpiece for American propaganda.

It was reproduced on war bond posters, featured on postage stamps, and later served as the model for the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.

The flag-raising was more than just a morale booster— It was the spirit of sacrifice and resilience Americans have, reinforcing the idea that “uncommon valor was a common virtue,” as Admiral Chester Nimitz once remarked.

Want More?

The story of Iwo Jima is one of many battles from world war two. But few have a lasting image in the heads of Americans today like Iwo Jima does. It is one of those moments that makes us love our American Flags even more.

Showing our support for the courage that these soldiers lived their lives with is what we do best with our military flags and other military products you can find on our site.

If you have any questions or want to learn more about our flags, please reach out to us online or call us in store Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 5:00 ET.