Photographer That Inspired a Memorial Passes Away

Joe Rosenthal, the photographer who captured the famous image of U.S. Marines raising the American flag on Iwo Jima during World War II, passed away on August 20, 2006, at the age of 94.

Rosenthal was always humble about his Pulitzer Prize-winning shot, saying he was fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time. The photograph was taken at the top of Mount Suribachi after one of the fiercest battles of the war. It was published on the front page of every major newspaper of the time, and gave Rosenthal instant celebrity.

Almost all agree that the photo has perfect composition, lighting and inspirational subject matter. In fact, the picture is so perfect that it spawned a controversy as to whether the shot had been entirely staged, and Mr. Rosenthal himself was threatened with a lawsuit. Fortunately, home movies taken by a Marine sergeant of the event provided the evidence that restored Rosenthal's reputation.

The photograph was used on many war posters, and was later honored with its inclusion on a postage stamp. The historic photo was also the inspiration for the Marine Corps War Memorial near Arlington National Cemetery.

Tags: Cameras, Photography, Obituaries, Joe Rosenthal, American History, Historical Photographs, Iwo Jima