Joe Rosenthal's Passing

20 Aug 2006

Joe Rosenthal passed away today in Novato, California, United States at the age of 94. Though he had many other photographs accredited to his name, his 23 Feb 1945 photograph of the Mount Suribachi flag raising was by far the most recognizable work in his portfolio. The photograph might have been the most widely reproduced photograph as it was used in war-time War Bond posters, stamps, newspapers, books, magazines, and countless other mediums. The Pulitzer-winning photograph was reproduced in form of a 100-ton statue in Arlington, Virginia, United States, and many say that it had also inspired the five firefighters who raised the flag amidst the remains of the World Trade Center in Sep 2001.

For more information on Joe Rosenthal's passing, please see this New York Times article or this National Public Radio article with an audio report.

For more information on the Battle of Iwo Jima, please see this WW2DB article. Finally, for photographs of the above-mentioned statue in Arlington, Virginia, please see this WW2DB article.

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