Uncommon Valor

Today marks the anniversary of the raising of the flag atop Mt. Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima during WWII. Arguably the most famous military photograph to have ever been taken, the second flag-raising's picture encouraged the fighting spirit of the American people and rallied the country in a renewal of efforts to support the fight of the US servicemen overseas.

Six flag raisers, six different people, five Marines and one Corpsman. Three of them died on Iwo Jima, three of them came home and toured the country as part of a war-bonds drive. All six of them had small-town upbringings, strong family values and a rigid adherence to the inherent unwritten code that set each of them as brothers in arms.

• Michael Strank, the toughened sergeant who promised he'd bring each and every one of his squad members home, whether they were alive, in pieces or deceased. 
• Doc John "Jack" Bradley, the quiet Navy Corpsman who, as all other corpsmen serving with the grunts, was considered a fellow Marine. He was awarded the Navy's second-highest honor, the Navy Cross, for his courage under fire in rescuing a fallen comrade. 
• Rene Gagnon, the handsome PFC from New Hampshire who enjoyed the fame that came upon the flag-raisers, but later regretted it towards the final years of his life. 
• Franklin Sousley, the fun-loving PFC from Kentucky, who was always down for a good prank, and loved his little family, and his brother Marines, more than anything.
• Ira Hayes, the Paramarine Corporal from a reservation in Arizona, who could never escape the ghosts of the island he fought on. 
• Harlon Block, the athletic, soft-spoken Corporal who was originally mistaken for another Paramarine, who took part in the first flag-raising.

I highly recommend you read the book, Flags of our Fathers, by James Bradley (his father, Doc Bradley was one of the flag-raisers). It is an amazing read, and gives you an unparalleled insight into the lives of these Marines and Corpsman, their sacrifice, and the demons they faced after the war.