Description:

Iwo Jima

Block of four Iwo Jima Flag Raising 3 cent green stamps, plate #23306, signed by New Hampshire-born Marine and flag raising participant Rene Gagnon (1925-1979) as "Rene A. Gagnon" at top. In near fine condition, measuring overall 2.125" x 4.25".

The stamps commemorate the American takeover of Iwo Jima, an isolated island of immense strategic importance, located in the southern Japanese archipelago.  American forces had invaded the island in February 1945 to great loss of life, but they eventually won the day. The visual that symbolized this triumph was Joe Rosenthal's photograph of soldiers raising the American flag atop Mount Suribachi. Rene Gagnon was one of those who hoisted the flag, the third man from the front.

The American flag was actually raised twice during the Battle of Iwo Jima. The first flag raising occurred at 8 AM on February 23, 1945 when a 40-man combat patrol was dispatched to climb up the east slope of Mount Suribachi to seize the crest. The second flag raising, captured in the Pulitzer prize winning photo, was executed with a larger flag so that it could be seen more easily from surrounding areas. There was a 50% mortality rate among flag raising participants. The month following the battle, flag raising survivors Rene Gagnon, John Bradley (1923-1994), and Ira Hayes (1923-1955) toured the United States promoting war bonds.

The United States Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp in July 1945. It was a controversial decision as the postal service typically avoided honoring living people, but it proved to be one of the bestselling U.S.P.S. stamps of all time.

A stamp block depicting one of the most famous moments in American military history, signed by flag raiser Rene Gagnon!

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