Monday, May 23, 2011

Iconic War Photo Taken At Iwo Jima in WWII


Imagine if you were over seas and fighting a war that had true meaning to "fight to the death." This is the story of these five brave marines fighting for their country. The name of the photo is called "Raising The Flag On Iwo Jima." A famous photographer named Joe Rosenthal in February 23, 1945 took this photo.  This picture has many myths associated with it. It has the signifier, the signified and the sign. This photo has more meaning to then watching five brave soldiers holding up a flag after a deadly fight on Iwo Jima in World War II. 

Mr. Rosenthal had probably no idea how popular his photo taken at this time would really be. In 1945, Joe Rosenthal was dedicated to receive one of the most prestigious awards for this picture taken. The Pulitzer Award will be stitched in his family for the rest of their lives. Although, this picture was taken in the middle of the war only three people survived after this picture was taken which gives true meaning to this iconic photo.

Someone can always say a picture is worth a thousand words and in this case words can be speechless the fight these brave soldiers lived through. The American flag has much significance to it. Integrity, Honor and the American dream all symbolize it. There was much causality on both sides that died in order to conquer such a defeat but for these brave marines came true. The Island the United States Marines scaled was 546 feet tall. Many Japanese fighters that would do anything to guard their territory surrounded this island.

The Marines that survived and made there way up the rigid deadly mountain surrounded by mortars and automatic machine guns showed how skill full and how powerful American soldiers really are. On this day the soldiers will go down in history for defeating the Japanese on their island and make it United States territory. This picture does not tell you the whole story but tells a person how courageous U.S. soldiers really are. Not only the soldiers drove the Japanese off the island, but was the first Japanese homeland soil to be occupied by the United States.

Iwo Jima was an island for the Japanese to see of any American planes was coming. If a plane were coming the Japanese would radio for that they are about to get hit. This island was an early warning sign if there were enemies coming. It was a great advantage that the United States planned on taking this island but many lives were taken in the process.

When taken this picture someone can't see the expressions on these soldiers’ faces but I bet it is priceless. It really tells a person how determined Americans are when it comes to war and in this photo it really shows you how important it was to put up the American flag.

1 comment:

  1. As you and I discussed, be sure to unpack the ideological significance of this photo, and the way that this image represents an important breach in the wholeness and integrity of Japan, similar to the breaches of American wholeness suggested by Pearl Harbor and 9/11. Also, it is OK for you to favor a strictly patriotic interpretation of this photo, but it is also important to explore and acknowledge oppositional interpretations. Is it a good thing that a photo like this was used and continues to be used to legitimize American global hegemony? To what extent was the battle for Iwo Jima motivated by propaganda needs rather than military requirements? Some historic research might help achieve answers to those questions.

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