This book is for the person or persons that are truly interested in the story behind the two Flag being raised on Iwo Jima that day. That day being four days after the invasion. The author will take you behind the scenes into why it was and is important. Iwo being the first Japanese held soil that we raised the flag on. The reason why we felt it was necessary to take the island, for the length of it for B-29’s could land there to and from bombing raids being made on Japan. The hill 556 was taken and the first flag went up, but after it went up Lt. Colonel Chandler Johnson wanted that flag brought back down and a bigger flag put up instead. Men needed to retake the hill once again because of the interlocking tunnels that were place prior to the invasion. Once the flag went a photo was taken by Joe Rosenthal and that photo is the one that would become famous. The first flag raising a Marine photographer Staff Sgt. Lou Lowery missed the raising of the flag because he was changing the film in his camera. He did take some photos of before and after. The author discusses what happens to some of the men and if they were wounded or killed in action. Any medals they were awarded and the citations along with them. The part of the book deals with some people who years ago because of the age of computers felt that it was necessary to try and get all of the people correct. At the end of the book the author puts in the finding and recommendation of the Navy to have names change of the first photo and second. The author also speaks about why Mr. Bradley did not come forward and say he was not in the photo. First I would like to say that as a son of a WWII VET, we don’t know that he didn’t. At that time the U.S did need more money for the war and bond drive was down. This photo and any way that they the government could put any kind of face with it was going to draw money which it did. Second Ira the Native American Marine did not want to leave his unit, his guys but was ordered to go back to the states, not to his home but on this tour. So I really don’t think it would have made a difference one way or another. Mr. Bradley along with the other two still was not able to return home until they the government said they were done, he did not get married until after he got home, and he never spoke about it again for as much as we know. I grantee you though any Marine who was there with Bradley and him seeing anyone from Iwo had a bound that know else could touch and that was more than having your name at the bottom of the photo. Like my father with the 82nd there was a special bond with the men he went into battle with and when he spoke about it a few times there was a different look in his eyes. Overall a good book if you don’t know the back story about the Flag on Iwo and the brave men who stormed the black volcanic beach on Feb 19, 1945 – March 26 ,1945.

Two Flags Over Iwo Jima: Solving the Mystery of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Proudest Moment by Eric Hammel
Have you ever seen the image of the flag being raised in Iwo Jima? If not take a second and look at it. There is something undeniably majestic about the picture. I can’t remember the first time I saw it. I can’t recall whether or not I knew they were Marines raising the flag. I just know that I’ve always associated it with World War II and fighting in the Pacific. As time passed I learned more about the flag and the circumstances around it, eventually watching the movie “Flags of our Fathers” and the HBO series “The Pacific.” But reading James Bradley’s book Flags of our Fathers which the movie was based on opened my eyes much more than the movie did. It was around this time that I also became aware of the investigation going on into who the flag raisers really were. This brings me to this book by Eric Hammel. My interest has been piqued regarding this subject for years, so I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to read a book focused on this exact issue. I feel like that is who this book is for: a person interested in the flag on Iwo Jima, not necessarily World War II or the fight in the Pacific but what happened the day the two different flags were raised and the result of the picture taken by Rosenthal.

Hammel does a really great job from the beginning of the book to the very end identifying the circumstances and people involved with both the first raising of the flag and the second raising of the flag. He takes his time introducing people throughout and talking specifically about Iwo Jima, why it was so important and why the flag raising was so inspiring to those on the island. The shot taken of the second flag being raised is iconic but nowhere near as meaningful to those fighting at the time, compared to the first flag. But civilians got wrapped up in that image and it became propaganda. Because of that pressure the officers in charged scrambled to label the men involved and mistakes were made, some of which lasted for decades. Hammel takes his time explaining the situation and how these scenarios played out for years.

This isn’t a long book but it is packed with information. All of the research is very well laid out and comprehensive. Basic knowledge surrounding military tactics are explained when necessary. More importantly the lives of the Marines involved are fleshed out. You learn about the men involved and how they persevered, fought for each other and in more than a few instances gave their lives. All of those sacrifices to many are encapsulated by the photo taken by Rosenthal as he tried to balance on rocks. Hammel does tribute to all of them with this book. I recommend this book, but only if your gaze is focused on this specific issue, surrounding the flags and not a comprehensive look at battle strategies and the campaign on Iwo Jima.

I consider myself to be a smart, knowledge woman but this book went straight over my head. It is densely packed with facts and unfamiliar military terminology. I think this book would be great for someone is really into and up on the military but not for the average reader. A shame as I was looking forward to reading about the 2 flags. #TwoFlagsOverIwoJima #NetGalley