--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: February 23rd would go down as perhaps…" description: "\"“February 23rd would go down as perhaps the most auspicious day in the overall invasion of Iwo Jima, as it was on this day that Marines reached the top..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fee/charles-river-editors-1165_marine-corps_february-23rd-would-go-down-as-perhaps-t_1953484.jpg" --- # February 23rd would go down as perhaps the most auspicious… ![“February 23rd would go down as perhaps the most auspicious day in the overall invasion of Iwo Jima, as it was on this day that Marines reached the top of Suribachi after non-stop heavy fighting. At 1020, a patrol under command of Lieutenant Harold Schreir of the 28th Marines reached the top and…” quote by Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fee/charles-river-editors-1165_marine-corps_february-23rd-would-go-down-as-perhaps-t_1953484.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fee/charles-river-editors-1165_marine-corps_february-23rd-would-go-down-as-perhaps-t_1953484.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fee/charles-river-editors-1165_marine-corps_february-23rd-would-go-down-as-perhaps-t_1953484.jpg) > ““February 23rd would go down as perhaps the most auspicious day in the overall invasion of Iwo Jima, as it was on this day that Marines reached the top of Suribachi after non-stop heavy fighting. At 1020, a patrol under command of Lieutenant Harold Schreir of the 28th Marines reached the top and raised a small flag on the summit. That flag was raised by five Marines atop the same mountain as part of a 40 man patrol and was hoisted by Platoon Sergeant Ernest I. “Boots” Thomas of Tallahassee, Florida. A Marine Corps photographer captured the first raising on film, just as an enemy grenade caused him to fall over the crater edge and tumble 50 feet. The lens of his camera was shattered, but the film and soldier were safe.”” [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Marines captured the summit of Mount Suribachi, raising a flag amid fierce fighting; a photographer survived a grenade blast. **In simple terms:** Marines raised a flag on Suribachi after intense combat. Key Takeaway Remember the bravery and chaos of war. Themes courage war history heroism Mood somber honoring Type historical narrative When to use this quote - military history lessons - leadership training - memorial events Key Concepts military strategy combat photography Questions to Reflect On - What does this moment symbolize for the war’s outcome? - How do personal stories shape our view of history? A Different Perspective The account omits broader strategic context of the battle. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Iwo jima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/iwo-jima/) [Marine corps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marine-corps/) ## Related quotes > [The raising of that flag on Suribachi means a Marine Corps for the next 500 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-forrestal/the-raising-of-that-flag-on-suribachi-means-a-marine-corps-for-the/) [James Forrestal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-forrestal/) > [“Kuribayashi had the benefit of having traveled in the United States, and he had even attended Harvard for a short time. In his travels,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/kuribayashi-had-the-benefit-of-having-traveled-in-the-united-states/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [“By the beginning of March, enough of Iwo Jima was controlled that landings and take-offs could be maintained without fear of suicide attacks, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/by-the-beginning-of-march-enough-of-iwo-jima-was-controlled-that/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [“Translated as “God Wind,” “Divine Wind” and “God Spirit,” kamikazes would sink 47 Allied vessels and damage over 300 by the end of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/translated-as-god-wind-divine-wind-and-god-spirit-kamikazes-would/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [“Iwo Jima is more officially known as “Sulfur Island,” and it lies in a chain of volcanic islands south of the Ogasawara Islands. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/iwo-jima-is-more-officially-known-as-sulfur-island-and-it-lies-in-a/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [“The island would be bombarded for over 70 days ahead of the actual amphibious invasion of Iwo Jima, which would not occur until over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/the-island-would-be-bombarded-for-over-70-days-ahead-of-the-actual/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [“Midway was merely a convenient target chosen by Yamamoto to draw the Americans out, and both sides’ objectives were attritional attempts to degrade their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/midway-was-merely-a-convenient-target-chosen-by-yamamoto-to-draw-the/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [The only black battalion on Iwo Jima was a small munitions supply unit that came to the beach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-eastwood/the-only-black-battalion-on-iwo-jima-was-a-small-munitions-supply/) [Clint Eastwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-eastwood/) > [Off they go on this sort of camping trip to Iwo Jima, where they're taken around and shown where all the battles took place.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/off-they-go-on-this-sort-of-camping-trip-to-iwo-jima-where-they-re/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [Of the Marines on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/of-the-marines-on-iwo-jima-uncommon-valor-was-a-common-virtue/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The battle of Iwo Island has been won. The United States Marines by their individual and collective courage have conquered a base which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-w-nimitz/the-battle-of-iwo-island-has-been-won-the-united-states-marines-by/) [Chester W. Nimitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-w-nimitz/) > [“Forget bringing the troops home from Iraq. We need to get the troops home from World War II. Can anybody tell me why, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/forget-bringing-the-troops-home-from-iraq-we-need-to-get-the-troops/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [By their victory, the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions and other units of the Fifth Amphibious Corps have made an accounting to their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-w-nimitz/by-their-victory-the-3rd-4th-and-5th-marine-divisions-and-other-units/) [Chester W. Nimitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-w-nimitz/) > [No other island received as much preliminary pounding as did Iwo Jima.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-w-nimitz/no-other-island-received-as-much-preliminary-pounding-as-did-iwo-jima/) [Chester W. Nimitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-w-nimitz/) > [Among the men who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-w-nimitz/among-the-men-who-fought-on-iwo-jima-uncommon-valor-was-a-common/) [Chester W. Nimitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-w-nimitz/) ## More by Charles River Editors > [“Iwo Jima is more officially known as “Sulfur Island,” and it lies in a chain of volcanic islands south of the Ogasawara Islands. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/iwo-jima-is-more-officially-known-as-sulfur-island-and-it-lies-in-a/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [“Rachel’s tomb is located a short distance north of Bethlehem, on the road between Jerusalem and Hebron. It consists of a small building with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/rachel-s-tomb-is-located-a-short-distance-north-of-bethlehem-on-the/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [“By the following morning, September 15, Jackson had positioned nearly fifty guns on Maryland Heights and at the base of Loudoun Heights.  Then he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/by-the-following-morning-september-15-jackson-had-positioned-nearly/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [“Washington is the only President to be elected unanimously – not once, but twice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/washington-is-the-only-president-to-be-elected-unanimously-not-once/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [“As the story goes, the cardinals began to regret their decision the very night of Pope Urban VI's coronation. During the celebratory feast that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/as-the-story-goes-the-cardinals-began-to-regret-their-decision-the/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [“When Lee heard of Jackson’s injuries, he sent his religious leader Chaplain Lacy to Stonewall with the message, “Give him my affectionate regards, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/when-lee-heard-of-jackson-s-injuries-he-sent-his-religious-leader/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [“For the first time, the Ottoman Empire was forced to recognize the full independence of a nation, not because of a war with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/for-the-first-time-the-ottoman-empire-was-forced-to-recognize-the/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [“Midway was merely a convenient target chosen by Yamamoto to draw the Americans out, and both sides’ objectives were attritional attempts to degrade their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/midway-was-merely-a-convenient-target-chosen-by-yamamoto-to-draw-the/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [“Paris had heard of Helen of Sparta’s beauty, and though she was married to the warlike Menelaus, he immediately consented to awarding Aphrodite the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/paris-had-heard-of-helen-of-sparta-s-beauty-and-though-she-was/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [“Although cargo shipments of precious metals as described here seem quite fanciful to modern ears, archaeologists recently excavated a shipwreck at Uluburun with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/although-cargo-shipments-of-precious-metals-as-described-here-seem/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [“The British government in 1807 had issued the “Orders in Council,” which enforced a naval blockade against France, and with a shortage of seamen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/the-british-government-in-1807-had-issued-the-orders-in-council-which/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [“Fearing for his life, Urban stayed put. He publicly blasted the French cardinals and attempted to revoke their titles, breaking records by appointing 26…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/fearing-for-his-life-urban-stayed-put-he-publicly-blasted-the-french/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [“Humiliated, Boniface issued the papal bull, “Clerics Laicos,” in response. The bull declared that kings who taxed clergy without papal permission would be promptly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/humiliated-boniface-issued-the-papal-bull-clerics-laicos-in-response/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [“In 1940, Heinrich Himmler, wanting to extend SS influence to the rocket program, pressured Wernher von Braun into joining the organization despite his lack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/in-1940-heinrich-himmler-wanting-to-extend-ss-influence-to-the-rocket/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [“The Wildcats tore into the Vals as they climbed prior to making their dives, and 11 of the 18 attacking dive bombers were shot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/the-wildcats-tore-into-the-vals-as-they-climbed-prior-to-making-their/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) [Explore all 278 Charles River Editors quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) ## More Iwo jima quotes > [“Iwo Jima is more officially known as “Sulfur Island,” and it lies in a chain of volcanic islands south of the Ogasawara Islands. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/iwo-jima-is-more-officially-known-as-sulfur-island-and-it-lies-in-a/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [No other island received as much preliminary pounding as did Iwo Jima.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-w-nimitz/no-other-island-received-as-much-preliminary-pounding-as-did-iwo-jima/) [Chester W. Nimitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-w-nimitz/) > [By their victory, the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions and other units of the Fifth Amphibious Corps have made an accounting to their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-w-nimitz/by-their-victory-the-3rd-4th-and-5th-marine-divisions-and-other-units/) [Chester W. Nimitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-w-nimitz/) > [“Midway was merely a convenient target chosen by Yamamoto to draw the Americans out, and both sides’ objectives were attritional attempts to degrade their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/midway-was-merely-a-convenient-target-chosen-by-yamamoto-to-draw-the/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [Off they go on this sort of camping trip to Iwo Jima, where they're taken around and shown where all the battles took place.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/off-they-go-on-this-sort-of-camping-trip-to-iwo-jima-where-they-re/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [“The island would be bombarded for over 70 days ahead of the actual amphibious invasion of Iwo Jima, which would not occur until over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/the-island-would-be-bombarded-for-over-70-days-ahead-of-the-actual/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [The only black battalion on Iwo Jima was a small munitions supply unit that came to the beach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-eastwood/the-only-black-battalion-on-iwo-jima-was-a-small-munitions-supply/) [Clint Eastwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-eastwood/) > [Among the men who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-w-nimitz/among-the-men-who-fought-on-iwo-jima-uncommon-valor-was-a-common/) [Chester W. Nimitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-w-nimitz/) > [Of the Marines on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/of-the-marines-on-iwo-jima-uncommon-valor-was-a-common-virtue/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The battle of Iwo Island has been won. The United States Marines by their individual and collective courage have conquered a base which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-w-nimitz/the-battle-of-iwo-island-has-been-won-the-united-states-marines-by/) [Chester W. Nimitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-w-nimitz/) > [“Translated as “God Wind,” “Divine Wind” and “God Spirit,” kamikazes would sink 47 Allied vessels and damage over 300 by the end of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/translated-as-god-wind-divine-wind-and-god-spirit-kamikazes-would/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [“Forget bringing the troops home from Iraq. We need to get the troops home from World War II. Can anybody tell me why, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/forget-bringing-the-troops-home-from-iraq-we-need-to-get-the-troops/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [For Marines like myself, Iwo Jima represents heroic sacrifice and bravery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruben-gallego/for-marines-like-myself-iwo-jima-represents-heroic-sacrifice-and/) [Ruben Gallego](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruben-gallego/) > [“The battle of Iwo Jima would quickly turn into a primitive contest of gladiators: Japanese gladiators fighting from caves and tunnels like the catacombs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-bradley/the-battle-of-iwo-jima-would-quickly-turn-into-a-primitive-contest-of/) [James Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-bradley/) > [“We passed a gun shop advertising a "Blowout Sale. While listening to a country music station,we heard a talk/song narrated by our flag. "I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sedaris/we-passed-a-gun-shop-advertising-a-blowout-sale-while-listening-to-a/) [David Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sedaris/) [Browse all 36 Iwo jima quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/iwo-jima/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“February 23rd would go down as perhaps the most auspicious day in the overall invasion of Iwo Jima, as it was on this day that Marines reached the top of Suribachi after non-stop heavy fighting. At 1020, a patrol under command of Lieutenant Harold Schreir of the 28th Marines reached the top and raised a small flag on the summit. That flag was raised by five Marines atop the same mountain as part of a 40 man patrol and was hoisted by Platoon Sergeant Ernest I. “Boots” Thomas of Tallahassee, Florida. 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