Charles W Lindberg
| Charles W. Lindberg | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 26, 1920 Grand Forks, North Dakota |
| Died | June 24, 2007 Edina, Minnesota |
| Status | Survived |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1942–1946 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Service number | |
| Unit | Company E, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division |
| Commands held | |
| Battles / wars | Battle of Iwo Jima |
| Awards | Silver Star, Purple Heart |
| Relations | |
| Later work | |
Charles Willard "Chuck" Lindberg (June 26, 1920 – June 24, 2007) was a United States Marine who helped raise the first U.S. flag atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945.
Lindberg fought at Guadalcanal, Bougainville, and Iwo Jima with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, serving as a flamethrower operator.
Flag raising on Mount Suribachi
[edit]As a member of the patrol that seized the summit of Mount Suribachi, Lindberg helped tie the first flag to a length of Japanese pipe and raise it at about 10:30 a.m. on February 23, 1945. When the larger second flag was raised and photographed by Joe Rosenthal a short time later, Lindberg was below the summit reloading his flamethrower. He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions on the island.
Legacy
[edit]Lindberg survived the war and for the rest of his life spoke about the first flag raising, which was often overshadowed by the famous photograph of the second. He became the last living participant of the first flag raising and died in Edina, Minnesota, on June 24, 2007, two days short of his 87th birthday.