Lot 100
Iwo Jima - First Iwo Jima flag raiser John H. Bradley's very own dramatic, black and white photo, signed by him and fellow flag raisers Gagnon and Hayes
Bradley's personally owned black and white photo of three of the Iwo Jima flag raisers. Signed by each with their full name and rank, Ira Hayes, John Bradley and Rene Gagnon as "Ira A. Hayes, pfc U.S.M.C.", "John H. Bradley Ph. M2/C", and "Pfc R. A. Gagnon" Personally owned by John Bradley, and handed down to his son, James Bradley who has certified the piece was from his personal collection. The photo has strong contrast with no fading, 9.75" x 7.75". Presented beautifully matted, framed and glazed to 15.25" x 13.25". Fine condition.
Among the finest black and white photo signed examples, of the very few known, depicting these three men holding the actual flag they raised at Iwo Jima and looking at it with reverence. Signed by each in full signature, including their rank as "Ira A. Hayes, pfc U.S.M.C.", "John H. Bradley Ph. M2/C", and ""Pfc R. A. Gagnon"
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.
The IwoJima flag raising was a moment of enormous historical importance. Of the six men who participated in the raising of the flag, three were killed in action and died over the next few days and did not come back. This spectacular photo depicts the three who survived. 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, Rene Gagnon is best known for being one of the six flag-raisers who helped raise the second U.S. flag at Iwo Jima, and Ira Hayes, a Pima Indian, who had hardly ever been off the Reservation when he had enlisted in the Marine Corps. To Ira, the heroes of Iwo Jima, those deserving honor, were his "good buddies" who died there. Although this photo is not dated, Ira died quite young at the age of 32 in 1955 so this photo would obviously predate his death.
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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