Iwo Jima U. S. MarinesDID YOU KNOW?
Probably no World War II memorial
is as well known as the Iwo Jima Sculpture depicting the
6 marines raising the American flag atop
Mount Suribachi. This memorial has come to
symbolize victory and sacrifice. The raising
of the flag was not to signal the end of the
battle, instead it's intended message
was, "victory was attainable". The flag was
raised days before victory was achieved.
Mount Suribachi was chosen as the best place
to plant the flag. Being 550 feet high, it
was the tallest spot on the island. It became
a daily source of encouragement to those
fighting in the face of almost certain death.
Three of the 6 men who helped raised the flag
were later killed before Iwo Jima was taken.
The battle
of Iwo Jima stands at the forefront of Marine
Corps history. More Marines died at Iwo Jima
than any other battle in the Corp's history.
In all, 6,800 Americans and 22,000 Japanese
died in the 36-day battle fought over a
volcanic rock in the ocean, a critical stepping
stone for US bombers attacking the Japanese
mainland. When the public first demanded a
stamp commemorating the Flag Raising picture,
the US Post Office initially rejected the
idea out of hand. "No living person(s) can
appear on a US stamp," they replied. But
the public demand was so great that Congress
pushed for the stamp. It was issued just five
months after the Flag-Raising. On the day of
issue, people stood patiently in lines stretching
for city blocks on a sweltering July day in
1945 for a chance to buy the beloved stamp. The hardwood frame measures
18 1/2 x 14 3/4 inches and consists of 3 mat
colors. The Iwo Jima Memorial and Marine
emblem are featured on a maxicard.
The post office issued the stamp to honor
those who served. A four inch Marine
patch and a 2 brass Marine collar pins depicting the eagle and the anchor are included. There are two marine stamps that accompany this picture, the 3 cent Iwo Jima issued July 7, 1945 and another Marine related stamp (this stamp may vary).
Our Price: $56.00
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