This Day in History: , U.S. Flag Raised on Iwo Jima.<br />February 23, 1945.<br />After taking the crest of Mount Suribachi, <br />U.S. Marines raised the U.S. flag <br />to the cheers of American soldiers.<br />Several hours later when a second and <br />larger flag was raised, the moment was <br />captured by AP photographer Joe Rosenthal.<br />Of the three photos Rosenthal took, <br />one would win the Pulitzer Prize and <br />become the most reproduced photo in history.<br />Three of the six soldiers seen in the photo <br />were killed before the end of the <br />Battle for Iwo Jima in late March.<br />Defeating the 22,000 Japanese defenders <br />on the tiny island was an important <br />strategic victory for the U.S.<br />Only 200 of the defenders were captured alive, <br />6,000 U.S. soldiers were killed and 17,000 U.S. <br />soldiers were wounded in the battle
