Richfield in Hennepin County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The First Flag Raised Over Iwo Jima

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, June 19, 2013

1. The First Flag Raised Over Iwo Jima Marker

Inscription. On the morning of February 23, 1945, members of the 3rd Platoon, 28th Regiment, 5th Marine Division were given orders to climb and secure Mount Suribachi. Upon reaching the top, a Marine stood guard while the other Marines raised the first American Flag on Japanese soil. The ships' bells and whistles, and cheers from the U.S. troops rang out loud upon seeing the American Flag waving on the summit.

The centerpiece of this memorial is the flag of the United States of America, flying above a bronze bust of Cpl. Charles (Chuck) W. Lindberg, in his Marine flamethrower gear, atop a 10-ton taconite rock from Eveleth, MN. Chuck was the longest-living member of the flag-raising platoon and lived here in Richfield for over 50 years after the war. Chuck wanted this memorial to accurately honor the men of the first flag raising atop Mount Suribachi. Chuck passed away on June 24, 2007, with just a vision of what this memorial would become.

Sculpture of Charles (Chuck) W. Lindberg: Jeff Barber

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is February 23, 1945.

Location. 44° 53.171′ N, 93° 16.013′ W. Marker is in Richfield, Minnesota, in Hennepin County. It can be reached from Portland Avenue south of East 64th Street, on the left when

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traveling south. Marker is at the Honoring All Veterans Memorial in Veterans Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6529 Portland Avenue South, Minneapolis MN 55423, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Honoring All Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); World War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Pvt. John O. Dolson (a few steps from this marker); PFC. Jimmy Berray (approx. 1.2 miles away); Richfield Pioneer Homestead (approx. 1.2 miles away); Original Millstone from the Washburn-Crosby Flour Mill (approx. 1.8 miles away); Bicycle Paths (approx. 2 miles away); The Crash of Flight 307 (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richfield.

Also see . . .
1. Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on April 21, 2014.)

2. Charles W. Lindberg. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on April 21, 2014.)

3. Charles W. Lindberg. Find A Grave memorial. (Submitted on April 21, 2014.)

Marker and Sculpture image. Click for full size.

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, June 19, 2013

2. Marker and Sculpture

The Honoring All Veterans Memorial

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, June 19, 2013

3. The Honoring All Veterans Memorial

Veterans Memorial Park

Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 857 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 21, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.