Being only 5’5″, photographer Joe Rosenthal had to climb on top of a Japanese sandbag to snap a photo while on this peak
On the Jeopardy episode airing Monday, January 19, 2026, contestants were challenged with a clue that reached back into one of the most iconic moments in photojournalism and wartime history. The Final Jeopardy category was Famous Photos, and the clue focused on a significant photograph captured under intense battlefield conditions. It read: Being only 5’5″, photographer Joe Rosenthal had to climb on top of a Japanese sandbag to snap a photo while on this peak.
What is Mount Suribachi?
The correct response was What is Mount Suribachi? This peak is located on the island of Iwo Jima in the western Pacific Ocean and was the site of one of the fiercest battles between the United States and Japan during World War II. On February 23, 1945, Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal captured a moment that would become one of the most famous images in American military history—five U.S. Marines and a Navy corpsman raising the American flag atop the summit of Mount Suribachi.
Rosenthal’s photograph was not only technically impressive but also symbolically powerful. Despite being only 5 feet 5 inches tall, Rosenthal managed to climb onto a Japanese sandbag for better elevation to frame the flag-raising shot. This allowed him to capture the iconic composition, emphasizing the effort, teamwork, and determination of the soldiers. The image quickly became a rallying point on the home front and remains one of the most reproduced photographs in history.
Historical Context of Mount Suribachi
Mount Suribachi is a dormant volcanic cone at the southern tip of Iwo Jima, an island strategically located roughly halfway between the Mariana Islands and mainland Japan. During the Battle of Iwo Jima, which began on February 19, 1945, Mount Suribachi served as a heavily fortified Japanese position. U.S. forces recognized its tactical importance early in the campaign and launched a direct assault to seize control of the peak.
The fighting was intense and costly. Capturing Mount Suribachi provided the United States with a critical vantage point over the rest of the island. Four days after the invasion began, the mountain was taken, and two flag raisings occurred. Rosenthal’s photograph was of the second and larger flag, raised so that it could be more easily seen across the battlefield.
The Making of an Icon
Joe Rosenthal’s photograph of the second flag-raising was taken without staging or direction. As the six men lifted the pole into position, Rosenthal instinctively snapped the picture without even looking through the viewfinder. He later described the moment as being “lucky,” but it was a combination of quick reflexes, experience, and courage that allowed him to capture such a lasting image under dangerous circumstances.
The photograph was developed and distributed by the Associated Press almost immediately. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Photography in 1945 and became the model for the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. The power of the image extended far beyond its artistic merit—it galvanized American morale and became a lasting symbol of sacrifice and unity.
Legacy of the Iwo Jima Photograph
The individuals in the photograph became national figures, though not all of them survived the war. Three of the six flag-raisers died during subsequent fighting on the island. Over the decades, the photo has been analyzed, honored, and even scrutinized for the identities of the men depicted, which were corrected after thorough investigations many years later.
Rosenthal’s work helped redefine the role of combat photographers. His image did more than document an event—it shaped public perception of the war and influenced the collective memory of World War II. Mount Suribachi, once a battleground, is now remembered primarily through the lens of this single, enduring photograph.
Conclusion
Monday’s Jeopardy clue highlighted a rare intersection of journalism, history, and heroism. The answer, What is Mount Suribachi?, refers to more than just a geographic location. It points to a moment that encapsulated the courage of American forces and the skill of a photographer who rose—literally—to the challenge of preserving history in a single frame. Joe Rosenthal’s determination to capture the image, despite the physical obstacles and chaos of battle, ensured that the story of Iwo Jima would be told through a powerful visual that continues to resonate.