Retired Marine colonel whose troops planted US flag on Iwo Jima dies at 102
 

Retired Marine colonel whose troops planted US flag on Iwo Jima dies at 102
By: Stars & Stripes & Associated Press - 08-06-21
Re: https://www.stripes.com/veterans/202...e-2473974.html

Photo link: https://www.stripes.com/incoming/b55...%20jima%20flag
U.S. Marines raise the American flag atop Mount Suribachi on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima on Feb. 23, 1945. (Joe Rosenthal/AP)

SAN DIEGO — Dave Severance, a retired U.S. Marine colonel whose troops were the first to plant an American flag over the Japanese island of Iwo Jima during World War II, has died. He was 102.

Severance died Monday at his home in the San Diego suburb of La Jolla, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

On Feb. 23, 1945 about 40 members of Severance's company were sent up Mount Suribachi with orders to plant the flag.

2nd photo link: https://www.stripes.com/incoming/ea6...ve%20severance
Dave Severance, a retired U.S. Marine colonel whose troops were the first to plant an American flag over the Japanese island of Iwo Jima during World War II, is seen at his home in San Diego on May 20, 2015. Severance, 102, died Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, at his home in the San Diego suburb of La Jolla. (Nelvin C. Cepeda, The San Diego Union-Tribune/AP)

A short time later, another group was sent up with a second flag to replace the first. That iconic image was captured by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal who won a Pulitzer Prize.

Severance spent his retirement quietly trying to set the record straight that there were two flag-raisings that February morning in 1945.

Severance retired from the Marine Corps in 1968 following 32 years of service. After leading Marines in WWII, he went on to fly nearly 70 missions in Korea as an aviator.

His death was first reported Wednesday by The New York Times, which attributed the information about his passing to his family.

Survivors include two daughters, Nina Cohen and Lynn Severance; two sons, Dave Jr. and Mike Severance; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his second wife, Barbara, who died in 2017.

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Personal note: It's amazing how long some our Veteran's live. But the inevitable is that we
all have an ending. His life was a long one and though he's past we won't forget the flag bearer's such as Dave Severance who battle up the hill to plant our Flag for all those below to tell them "we did it" and to give them the push they needed to go over that hill. He will be remembered in our history as so many other's who've taken the hills in many of our battles as American's. Rest in Peace Dave - your time in Hell is over and Heaven's gates and your Bud's await you. Thank You Sir for your courage and dedication as well as all those who battle under that Flag that we hold so dear to our hearts. R.I.P.
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Boats