Holding the original Iwo Jima flag shown in the flag-raising photo made by AP staffer Joe Rosenthal, from left to right: Pvt. Ira Hayes, U.S. Marine Corp.; pharmacist's mate John H. Bradley, U.S. Navy; Pvt. Rene Gagnon, U.S. Marine Corp. All three, seen in New York, May 11, 1945(rudeerude)

Surviving flag raisers

Pfc. Rene A. Gagnon, one of the six Marines who raised the flag at Iwo Jima atop Mt. Suribachi, is seen April 5, 1945. He was rushing a new battery to a radio unit when he paused to help raise the flag and was immortalized in Joe Rosenthal's famous photo.(rudeerude)

Flag raiser Pfc. Rene A. Gagnon

Memorial services are conducted at an Iwo Jima cemetery on Feb. 20, 1947.B-29's soar overhead and the U.S. flag is at half staff in honor of those who died in the 1945 invasion of the then Japanese held island.(rudeerude)