Robert Edsel's Blog

"Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima" photographed by Joe Rosenthal. (Photo Courtesy of The Associated Press)

Today marks the 65th anniversary of the Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima.  The photograph depicts five United States Marines and a U.S. Navy corpsman raising the flag atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima. It is the only photograph to win the Pulitzer Prize for Photography in the same year as publication and is possibly the most reproduced photograph of all time.

The image represents the United States Marine Corps hoisting the flag on Mount Suribachi, the highest point on Iwo Jima island which was the first Japanese homeland soil to be captured. There were two flags raised at this point, but the first one was replaced because the flag was too small, 54 x 28 inches, and it was hard to see from the beach below. The second flag measured 96 x 56 inches thus making it more visible from the beaches and this time, it was able to be filmed and photographed properly. The photographer, Joe Rosenthal, almost missed taking the photograph because he was trying to get a better vantage point. He later remarked:

“Out of the corner of my eye, I had seen the men start the flag up. I swung my camera and shot the scene. That is how the picture was taken, and when you take a picture like that, you don’t come away saying you got a great shot. You don’t know.” [1]

A diagram of the photo indicating the six men who raised the flag: Ira Hayes, Franklin Sousley (†), Michael Strank (†), John Bradley, Rene Gagnon and Harlon Block (†). (†) = Killed on Iwo Jima. (Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia Commons)

When President Roosevelt saw the image, he immediately ordered the surviving marines back to the United States to help in the war bond drive.  The power of this image was the symbol for the 7th war bond that raised $26.3 billion, twice the tour’s goal and help seal the victory of World War II for the Allies.

Few images have captured the imagination as the Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima.

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[1] Bradley, James. Flags of Our Fathers, p. 209–211.

U.S. Marine Lane Faison (Photo Courtesy of Sandy Faison)

When my book on the Monuments Men was reviewed by The Washington Post in what was an expansive and, overall, good review (but for the “drive by” parting comment), the writer did take exception to my characterization of these men and women as “heroes” stating:

“In civilian life they were professional art people or patrons of the arts, and they seem to have regarded their work during the war as an extension and amplification of their civilian careers. They worked very hard and very effectively, but they seem to have had no sense of (or inclination toward) heroics, and my judgment is that they should be viewed accordingly: with respect and gratitude, but not elevated to the exalted precincts of heroism.”

I found this comment astonishing:  two Monuments Men were killed in action, others had many close calls, most all volunteered, and without exception all of them made a significant sacrifice.  The Monuments Men and women not only didn’t have to be in combat, but many of them had to go to considerable lengths just to finagle their way into active duty.  I remain of the opinion that the Monuments Men and women WERE heroes, one and all.

I apply the same standard to men and women in uniform today.  Some kids join gangs; some go to college or trade school; some chase the almighty dollar; and some goof off.  Others still enter military service as a career; some do it for the opportunity to receive a great college education they might otherwise not be able to afford.  Others hope to continue a family tradition of military service.  Whatever the reason, these brave men and women are stationed somewhere around the world which means they are away from family, friends, and serving their nation, often in harm’s way.  Yes, they are paid for duty (as are police officers and firemen—and I consider them heroes also!), but that shouldn’t diminish the degree of sacrifice involved with their job in any way.  Every soldier I see in an airport, headed home on leave or back to his or her unit, has by dint of service earned my respect and admiration.

One such soldier who I want to mention is the grandson of one of our beloved Monuments Men (S. Lane Faison, Jr.), Lane Faison.  His great grandfather served in the U. S. Army and his grandfather served in the U.S. Navy with distinction.  His grandfather was someone I adored, an early member of the OSS who interrogated many of the Nazis in an effort to determine their respective roles in the art thefts and discern what Hitler’s plans were for the Führermuseum he hoped to build in his hometown of Linz.  I first met his grandson, Lane, at his memorial service in December 2006, a little more than a month after having interviewed his grandfather.  In the time since, Lane joined the U. S. Marines and is currently serving overseas having seen duty in Afghanistan.   We are all proud of his sense of purpose and willingness to serve his country in this manner. I know his grandfather would be beaming with pride.

To Lane, and all his fellow servicemen and women, especially those in harm’s way, we salute you, wish you success with your mission, and a safe return home upon completion.

Entry of the Color Guard at the National World War II Museum

More than 1,150,000 Americans have died in the wars our nation has waged to gain – and maintain – its freedom and independence. Through World War II the greatness of our nation was founded in the concept of shared sacrifice, the belief that those in uniform — and the families they left behind — shouldn’t shoulder the burden of defending our way of life alone.

Former President Teddy Roosevelt wisely observed that “…in the long run, success or failure [of the Republic] will be conditioned upon the way in which the average man, the average woman, does his or her duty, first in the ordinary everyday affairs of life, and next in those great occasional cries which call for heroic virtues.  The average citizen must be a good citizen if our Republics are to succeed.”

Our veterans, and those men and women in uniform, continue to do their part, even when harm’s way appears on our own military bases at home.  But at a time in our Republic’s history when Veterans Day has sadly become notable more for its holiday shopping promotions and as a day off from school or work, one wonders what has become of the Good Citizen of whom Roosevelt spoke?

Tom Brokaw giving a speech at the National World War II Museum

Last Friday, while in New Orleans for the dedication ceremony of the National World War II Museum’s new expansion space, including its one of a kind 4-D theater and film, Beyond all Boundaries, I witnessed the work of many Good Citizens, but two in particular worth highlighting:  Tom Hanks and Tom Brokaw.  Their official roles were as hosts of the various events, none more moving than the Parade of Veterans, 350 men and women who served in the Army, Navy, Marine Corp, Army Air Force and Coast Guard during World War II.  Tom Brokaw told the audience that writing The Greatest Generation was “the single most important professional experience of my life.”  Tom Hanks spoke lovingly of his father, a Navy veteran, and the importance of each person doing their part as a prerequisite to achieving the long sought victory, even if their role was that of a machinist.

But behind the scenes, when the cameras weren’t rolling, the “Toms” were everywhere:  arriving early and staying late, serving food to the veterans, attending cocktail parties and dinners for supporters of the museum, and meeting with museum officials to discuss additional ways they could help to preserve the legacy of the men and women who saved our world from the greatest threat it has ever known.  As Dr. Nick Mueller, President of the museum, often stated, every time he and his friend of 30 years, the late Dr. Stephen Ambrose, called the “Toms” for help, they both enthusiastically appeared.

Tom Hanks talking with veterans

Personally I was struck less by what Tom Hanks and Tom Brokaw did than I was the spirit in which they did it:  gracious, humble, honored to be of help.  They were the Good Citizens, in this case extraordinary men applying their resources — none more powerful than their time —in a way that served as an inspiring example for others.  These are the same traits I’ve witnessed in my interviews with the citizen-soldiers known as the Monuments Men, a small group of men and women who saved and preserved the greatest cultural treasures from the destruction of World War II and theft by Hitler and the Nazis: graciousness, humility, inspiration.

So on this Veterans Day, I think NOT of the commercialism of the holiday or the de-coupling of the bond of shared sacrifice that built our great nation, rather I take hope in the example set by Tom Hanks, Tom Brokaw, and many other Good Citizens in New Orleans this past weekend. I give thanks to our veterans, and all those in military service, including their loved ones, who keep us safe.