Flags of Our Fathers
6.9
On February 23, 1945, the iconic photograph of six U.S. servicemen raising the American flag on Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima was captured by photographer Joe Rosenthal. This image, which became a symbol of American courage and patriotism during World War II, immortalized the moment when U.S. Marines, along with a Navy Corpsman, raised the flag on one of the most pivotal battlefields in the Pacific. The photograph not only captured a historical moment but also became a focal point for the American public’s understanding of the intense fighting on Iwo Jima.
While the photograph captured six individuals raising the flag, the story of the men behind the image is equally compelling. Three of the surviving servicemen from that historic moment—John ‘Doc’ Bradley, Pvt. Rene Gagnon, and Pvt. Ira Hayes—played integral roles in the battle for Iwo Jima. Their individual experiences and their connection to this powerful symbol of American valor offer a unique and personal perspective on the war and the legacy of the photograph.
John ‘Doc’ Bradley, a Navy Corpsman, served alongside the Marines, providing essential medical support during the battle. Despite the harsh conditions and relentless combat, Bradley’s role was vital in saving countless lives. His connection to the famous image was not just as a participant in the flag-raising but also as a symbol of the sacrifice and courage that military medical personnel displayed during the war. After the battle, Bradley’s life was forever changed by his participation in the photograph, as he was thrust into the national spotlight. Despite the fame that came with the image, Bradley remained a humble and private individual, often struggling with the emotional toll of the war and the constant attention from the media.
Pvt. Rene Gagnon, another key figure in the iconic image, was one of the Marines who helped raise the flag. Unlike Bradley, Gagnon was not initially part of the flag-raising team, but he was called to replace another Marine who had been injured. Gagnon’s involvement in the photograph would go on to define his life after the war. Like Bradley, he faced the complexities of fame and the emotional strain of being thrust into the public eye. Gagnon’s experience reflected the broader impact of the war on soldiers—how moments of glory, such as raising the flag, often masked the deep personal struggles and trauma that followed.
Pvt. Ira Hayes, a member of the Pima Native American tribe, was perhaps the most tragic figure among the six men in the photograph. Despite his pivotal role in raising the flag, Hayes faced a lifetime of difficulties. The fame that came with being immortalized in the photograph did not shield him from the horrors of war or the racial prejudice he faced after returning home. The trauma of combat, combined with the challenges of being an Indigenous soldier in post-war America, led to a troubled life. Hayes struggled with alcoholism and post-traumatic stress, ultimately dying young, leaving behind a legacy that highlighted both the pride and pain of being a part of such a historic moment.
Together, the stories of John Bradley, Rene Gagnon, and Ira Hayes reflect the complexity of war and the human experience behind the famous photograph. While the image of the flag-raising on Mount Suribachi became a symbol of victory, the lives of these men serve as a reminder of the sacrifices, struggles, and the often-overlooked emotional cost that war exacts on those who serve. Their stories continue to resonate, offering a deeper understanding of the true impact of the Battle of Iwo Jima and the legacy of World War II.
Director: Clint Eastwood, Mable Lawson-McCrary, Peter Dress
Cast: Adam Beach, Alessandro Mastrobuono, Ali Costello, Ann Dowd, Barry Pepper, Barry Sigismondi, Benjamin Walker, Beth Grant, Beth Tapper, Björgvin Franz Gíslason, Brian Ceponis, Brian Eric Alexander
