Rare vintage matte-finish 10 x 8 photo of three of the men captured in the historic photograph of the American flag being raised at Iwo Jima, shown examining the tattered flag they raised on Mount Suribachi, signed in fountain pen by all three: "Ira H. Hayes, Pfc., U.S.M.C.," "John H. Bradley, Ph. M. 2/c," and "Pfc. R. A. Gagnon." In fine condition, with some trivial edge rippling.
Bradley, Gagnon, and Hayes were three of the six US soldiers who planted a US flag atop Mount Suribachi on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima-an event captured on film by photographer Joe Rosenthal, which became one of the most familiar images of World War. With three of the enlisted men killed in action within a month of the flag-raising, President Franklin D. Roosevelt transferred the survivors to Washington, D. C. and ordered them to participate in the 7th War Bond Drive. Following orders, the trio toured the nation with the tattered American flag they helped raise; the photo offered here was obtained during that fund-raising campaign. A phenomenal image of three unlikely heroes who, along with their fallen comrades, became the collective 'face' of World War II. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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