IWO JIMA FLAG RAISING FILM

I have often heard talk about whether the famous flag raising photo from the Battle of Iwo Jima was the original or a planned re-enactment because of the lack of available camera gear at the original event but the piece of history that it often overlooked is the story of the man who filmed this footage on Feb 23, 1945. His name was William H "Bill" Genaust and as a Sergent in the United States marine Core acted as war journalist via his 16mm camera work. On the day that the Marines captured the island, Genaust was on top of Mount Suribachi and filmed this footage of five Untied States Marines and one Navy Corpsman hoisted the flag. The extremely interesting aspect to this story is that Genaust never lived to know the impact of his captured images as he was killed not 9 days later. Apparently Genaust volunteered to use his camera light to illuminate a darkened cave where Japanese soldiers were hiding and was shot dead leading the Marines into battle. Incredible and a true testament to the bravery of those in war who decide it a worthwhile endeavor to put down the gun and pick up a camera.

Posted By Car Flag Man at 1:33am