Smithsonian Doc to Spotlight Flag Raiser from WWII Photo

NEW YORK: This summer, Smithsonian Channel is due to debut The Unknown Flag Raiser of Iwo Jima, a new special focused on one of the men seen raising the U.S. flag in a famous photograph from World War II.

The Unknown Flag Raiser of Iwo Jima reveals that Purple Heart recipient Harold Schultz was one of the flag raisers in the iconic war photo, which was taken by Joe Rosenthal on February 23, 1945. The hour-long documentary is produced by Lucky 8 TV and is slated for broadcast on July 3 at 9 p.m.

“It is a privilege for Smithsonian Channel to play a role in revealing the full truth about one of the most iconic moments in American history,” said David Royle, the executive VP of programming and production at Smithsonian Channel. “We hope that this remarkable story of detective work and military courage will remind us again of the sacrifice of the Greatest Generation. The discovery of this unknown flag-raiser highlights the modesty of these courageous men—it is extraordinary that Schultz took his secret to the grave.”

Kim Woodard, Lucky 8 TV co-founder and executive producer, added: “It’s an incredible honor for Lucky 8 to partner with the Marine Corps and Smithsonian Channel to share with viewers this story of service and reluctant valor. We are proud to have produced a project that celebrates Pfc. Schultz and the 70,000 servicemen who all played a part in raising that flag on Iwo Jima.”