US: soldier misidentified in Iwo Jima flag-raising photo

By Kasim Ileri

WASHINGTON (AA) - The U.S. military concluded Thursday that it misidentified a Marine in an iconic 1945 World War II photograph of a flag-raising atop Mount. Suribachi in Iwo Jima, Japan.

A Marine Corps investigation found that Navy Pharmacist's Mate 2nd Class John Bradley was recognized as the sixth Marine raising the flag in photograph by The Associated Press’ Joe Rosenthal, instead of Pfc. Harold Schultz.

The issue was brought to the attention of the Marine Corps Command months ago by a group researchers working on a Smithsonian Channel documentary about the image, according to the command.

A review panel formed by Marine Corps' commandant, Gen. Robert Neller, concluded that Schultz was in the image and not Bradley.

Investigating all images, films and statements, the panel found Bradley was actually “involved in the initial flag raising hours before the famous photo was taken.”

Although the 70-year-old mistake was noticed and corrected, it remains a mystery why Schultz kept silent until he died in 1995.

Also, Bradley’s story about the flag raising inspired Flags of Our Fathers, a book he co-authored in 2000 with Ron Powers that was adapted to film in 2006 under the same title.

"Although the Rosenthal image is iconic and significant, to Marines it's not about the individuals and never has been," Neller said in a statement.

"Simply stated, our fighting spirit is captured in that frame, and it remains a symbol of the tremendous accomplishments of our Corps -- what they did together and what they represent remains most important,” he added.

The Marine Corps' history will reflect the identities of the six flag raisers as Cpl. Harlon Block, Pfc. Rene Gagnon, Pfc. Ira Hayes, Pfc. Harold Schultz, Pfc. Franklin Sousley and Sgt. Michael Strank.