The most comprehensive and authoritative history site on the Internet.
Braving sniper fire, Lieutenant Colonel Richard P. Ross, Jr. places the American flag on a parapet of Shuri Castle on Okinawa. This 1st Marine Division flag was the first to be raised over Cape Gloucester and Peleliu by that unit. The metal staff to which the flag is attached is Japanese and bears the marks of American shellfire. (USMC)