(CNN)Seventy years ago, on February 23, two American flags were planted on the peak of Mount Suribachi, located on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima. Coming five days into one of the most ferocious battles of World War II, the first flag-raising, by a group of United States Marines, was emotional, and a Marine photographer captured it. But a U.S. commander thought the flag was too small to be seen at a distance. And so, a few hours later, five more Marines and one Navy medical corpsman carried out orders to haul a much larger flag up to the top. Again photos were shot, along with a film. No one thought to record this bit of everyday war business in the daily log.
@highlight
Photos were taken of two flag-raisings on Iwo Jima
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Ben-Ghiat: One photo became iconic, representing tragedy and triumph of the war
Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima
In truth, both images are necessary to convey the experience of @placeholder, which stands today as a notable case of daring strategies of amphibious assault (U.S.) and static defense (Japanese), examples of tenacity and teamwork, as well as failures of intelligence and devastating losses (on both sides).
Japanese
The @placeholder endured inhuman conditions underground, without food, water, and medical supplies, and their no-surrender policy created more unburied corpses in the tunnels as the war went on.
Japanese
Of approximately 20,000 @placeholder soldiers, only about 2,000 survived the battle, while the Americans had over 20,000 casualties and 7,000 dead out of a total mobilized force of 70,000.
World War II
One-third of the 19,000 who died during @placeholder perished on the island.
Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima
The two flags of @placeholder offer a lesson for today about the power of the media to shape our notions of what, and who, deserves to be remembered about war.