"Among the men who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue" —Admiral Chester W. Nimitz On February 23, 1945, U.S. Marines raised two American flags atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima. The first flag from the U.S.S Missoula was hoisted at approximately 10:30 a.m. on the length of the iron pipe by a Marine patrol that found the summit lightly defended. This moment provided a significant morale boost but did not mark the end of the battle, which would continue until M