US Marine commander who directed troops to plant first American flag on Iwo Jima for one of the most iconic photos of World War Two dies aged 102
- Dave Severance died on Monday at his home in the San Diego suburb of La Jolla
- In February 1945 Severance commanded his troops to plant the American Flag on the highest point of the Japanese island to boost morale during WWII
- Photographer Joe Rosenthal captured the moment troops later replaced that flag and the photo is considered one of the most iconic of the 20th Century
- Rosenthal won a Pulitzer Prize for that photo - titled Raising The Flag On Iwo Jima, although it was actually the second flag planted that day
- The image became the model for the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia and Severance had a copy in his home signed by Rosenthal
- He retired from the Marine Corps after 32 years of service and then flew 70 missions in Korea as an aviator
- Severance earned a Distinguished Flying Cross and Silver Star for his service.
US Marine whose troops first planted US flag during WWII dies age 102
Dave Severance died aged 102 at his home in La Jolla, California. He was a retired US Marine who commanded the troops in the iconic photo to plant an American flag on Iwo Jima during WWII.
