Marine who helped raise flag a hero

The last surviving U.S. Marine who helped raise the first flag on Iwo Jima on Feb. 23 1945 has answered his final muster. Charles W. Lindberg passed away on Sunday at his home in Richfield, Minn. at the age of 86.

Two flags were raised on that historic date. The first flag was soon replaced by a much larger one. The second flag raising and the ensuing photo taken that day by AP photographer Joe Rosenthal are now a part of history. It is most reproduced photo in the world. A 78-foot bronze statue depicting the flag raising on Iwo Jima is located on Arlington Ridge in Virginia. It is better known as the Marine Corps War Memorial. For his actions during the 36 bloody days on Iwo Jima, Cpl. Lindberg was awarded this nation’s third highest award for valor, the Silver Star, as well as the Purple Heart medal for his wounds.

Fleet Admiral Chester A. Nimitz stated that on Iwo Jima, “uncommon valor was a common virtue.” Former Secretary of the Navy was heard to say that, “raising that flag on Mt. Suribachi means a Marine Corps for the next 500 years”.

Thanks to Americans such as Charles W. Lindberg, let us hope and pray this comment is prophetic.

This nation is saddened by the loss of this American hero.

Boyce Clark

Edmonds