Description:

Bradley John 1923 - 1994 Iwo Jima flag raiser John H. Bradley's copy of Official Poster, signed by him and fellow raiser Rene Gagnon,dramatic, huge, and in color

Original, twice signed, Vintage Official U.S. Treasury Poster with the official U.S. Government Printing Office stamp, dated 1945, followed with the code of 0-637980, and with the statement 'Official U.S. Treasury Poster / U.S. Marines at Iwo Jima, painted by C.C. Beall from Associated Press Photo" along the bottom edge. 18.5" x 26". Personally owned by John Bradley, and handed down to his son, James Bradley. Signed by both John Bradley and Renee Gagnon. The poster has strong vibrant colors with a 1/4" reinforcement to the verso top edge. A few locations of thinning paper, and a few very tiny pin holes, all of which are not visible unless the poster is held up to light. Expected folds, else near fine.


A signed magnificent original poster; personally owned by John Bradley and handed down to his son James Bradley, who has certified the piece was from his personal collection.

One of the most iconic images of U.S. Marines Iwo Jima , this picture was first caught as a photograph by Joe Rosenthanl of the Associated press and eventually won the Pulitzer prize. This image was later memorialized in Arlington Virginia as a national moment. Signed by both John Bradley as "John H. Bradley Ph. M2C Navy" and Renee A. Gagnon as "Pfc Rene A. Gagnon U.S.M.C."

The flag raising at Iwo Jima occurred twice in the battle. The first was at 8 AM on February 23, when Bradley and Navy corpsman, PhM2c. Gerald Ziehme (replaced PhM3c. Langley who was wounded in action on February 21), were part of the 40-man combat patrol (mostly from Third Platoon, Easy Company) were sent to climb up the east slope of Mount Suribachi to seize and occupy the crest and to raise an American flag to signal that the mountaintop was captured. On top, the Marines found a steel pipe to attach the flag unto. The flagstaff was taken to the highest position on the crater. Seeing the raising of the national colors immediately caused loud cheering from the Marines, sailors, and Coast Guardsmen on the beach below and from the men on the ships near the beach. After the flag was raised, Bradley, who was with the group of Marines near the flagstaff, pitched in to help the flagstaff stay vertical in the terrific winds on the volcano.

The Second Flag raising, the one memorialized by the Pulitzer prize winning photo, was initiated using a larger flag in order for the American flag to be seen more easily from the ships, beaches, and land off and around Mount Suribachi. Marine Sgt. Michael Strank was ordered to ascend Mount Suribachi with Marines from his squad and raise the replacement flag and return with the first flag that was flying on top.

A moment of enormous historical importance, beautifully memorialized in this stunning twice signed poster by two heros from Iwo Jima. John Bradley was one of the first flag raisers at Iwo Jima, and a awardee of both the Navy Cross and the Purple Heart for his contributions during the battle, and Rene Gagnon is best known for being one of the six flag-raisers who helped raise the second U.S. flag at Iwo Jima. A spectacular example made that much more significant with its important provenance. Documentation from Bradley's son who authored "Flags of our Fathers".

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