San Francisco Honors Iconic War Photographer Joe Rosenthal with Street Dedication
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A historic tribute was unveiled in downtown San Francisco on Thursday as the city honored joe Rosenthal, the legendary photojournalist behind one of the most iconic images of World War II: the raising of the American flag on Iwo Jima. The 600 block of Sutter Street, located near Union Square, was officially renamed “Joe Rosenthal Way” during a heartfelt ceremony attended by city officials, military representatives, and members of Rosenthal’s family.
Rosenthal, who passed away in 2006 at the age of 94, captured the Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph in 1945 while working for The Associated Press. The image, which depicted U.S. Marines raising the flag on the Japanese island, became a symbol of courage and resilience during the war. After the conflict, rosenthal transitioned to a career as a staff photographer for the San Francisco chronicle, where he chronicled the city’s vibrant life for 35 years until his retirement in 1981.
During his time at the Chronicle, Rosenthal’s lens captured a wide range of subjects, from the everyday moments of San Franciscans to the city’s most celebrated figures. One of his most memorable shots featured a young Willie Mays, the future baseball legend, getting his hat fitted as a member of the San Francisco Giants in 1957. Another classic image showed children joyfully celebrating the last day of school in 1965.
A Legacy of Courage and Connection
The renaming ceremony was led by Aaron Peskin, president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, who praised Rosenthal’s contributions to both wartime history and local journalism. “Joe Rosenthal’s work transcended borders and generations,” peskin said. “He captured the heroism of war and the beauty of everyday life, leaving an indelible mark on our city and our nation.”
Rosenthal’s famous Iwo Jima photograph not only earned him a Pulitzer Prize but also played a meaningful role in raising $26 billion in war bonds in 1945. Tom Graves, the chapter historian for the USMC Combat Correspondents Association, emphasized the photo’s impact on the war effort. “This image helped inspire a nation and contributed to our victory,” Graves said. “But beyond that, Rosenthal’s work as a San Francisco photographer reminds us of his dedication to capturing the essence of the city we all cherish.”
Graves and others expressed hope that the new street sign would spark curiosity among locals and visitors alike. “We hope people will see the name Joe Rosenthal Way and take a moment to learn about the man behind the camera,” Graves added. “He had terrible eyesight, but his ability to compose such powerful images is a testament to his talent and dedication.”
A Humble Hero
rosenthal, who was born in Washington, D.C., to Russian Jewish immigrant parents, never saw himself as a hero. “Sure, I took the photo,” he once said when complimented on his Pulitzer Prize-winning work. “But the Marines took Iwo Jima.” His humility and commitment to his craft left a lasting legacy, inspiring generations of photographers and storytellers.
The marines Memorial Club, located on the newly named Joe Rosenthal Way, welcomed the tribute as a fitting honor for a man who embodied the spirit of service and storytelling. As the city continues to celebrate his contributions, Rosenthal’s work remains a timeless reminder of the power of photography to connect, inspire, and preserve history.
Joe Rosenthal Way now stands as a permanent tribute to a photographer whose work continues to resonate with audiences across the globe, reminding us of the courage of soldiers and the beauty of everyday life.
**Headline:**
**”Capturing Courage and Connection: An Interview with an Expert on Joe Rosenthal and His Timeless Legacy”**
**Introductory Paragraph:**
San Francisco recently honored the legendary war photographer Joe Rosenthal by renaming a street near Union Square as “Joe Rosenthal Way.” rosenthal, known for his iconic Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph of the flag raising on Iwo jima during World War II, left an indelible mark on both wartime history and local journalism. His work not only symbolized courage and resilience but also captured the essence of everyday life in San Francisco for over three decades. In this interview, we sit down with a specialist guest, Tom Graves, the chapter historian for the USMC Combat Correspondents Association, to discuss Rosenthal’s legacy, his impact on the war effort, and why his work continues to resonate with audiences today.
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### **The Iconic Iwo Jima Photograph**
**Senior Editor:**
Tom, let’s start with the photograph that made Joe Rosenthal a household name—the iconic image of the flag raising on Iwo Jima. Can you tell us about the meaning of this photo during World War II?
**Tom Graves:**
Absolutely. The photograph of the flag raising on Iwo Jima is one of the most recognizable images in American history. It captured a moment of sheer heroism and determination as U.S. Marines fought to secure the island against fierce Japanese resistance. The image became a symbol of courage and resilience, inspiring not just the troops on the ground but the entire nation. What’s often overlooked is how this photograph played a crucial role in raising $26 billion in war bonds in 1945, which was a significant contribution to the war effort.
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### **Rosenthal’s transition to Local Journalism**
**Senior Editor:**
After the war, Rosenthal transitioned to a career as a staff photographer for the *San Francisco Chronicle*. How did his wartime experience shape his approach to capturing everyday life in the city?
**Tom Graves:**
Rosenthal’s time at the *Chronicle* was a testament to his versatility as a photographer. While his wartime images were powerful and symbolic, his work in San Francisco showed a deep thankfulness for the beauty of everyday moments. Whether he was photographing a young Willie Mays getting his hat fitted or children celebrating the last day of school, Rosenthal had an uncanny ability to connect with his subjects and capture the essence of the city’s vibrant life. His wartime experience undoubtedly gave him a keen eye for moments of significance, but he also had a remarkable talent for finding joy and humanity in the ordinary.
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### **A Legacy of Courage and Connection**
**Senior Editor:**
Aaron Peskin, president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, described Rosenthal’s work as transcending borders and generations. Do you think this is why his legacy continues to resonate today?
**Tom Graves:**
absolutely. Rosenthal’s work has a timeless quality as it speaks to universal themes—courage, resilience, and the beauty of everyday life. The Iwo Jima photograph, for example, is not just a historical document; it’s a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers and the strength of the human spirit. Similarly, his local photography captures the essence of San Francisco, a city that has always been a melting pot of cultures and experiences. Whether you’re looking at his wartime images or his shots of San franciscans going about their daily lives, there’s a sense of connection and storytelling that resonates across generations.
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### **the street Dedication: A Fitting Tribute**
**Senior Editor:**
The renaming of the 600 block of sutter Street to “joe rosenthal Way” is a significant tribute. What does this mean for the city and for those who admire Rosenthal’s work?
**Tom Graves:**
This street dedication is a fitting honor for a man who embodied the spirit of service and storytelling. The location, near Union Square, is a bustling part of the city, and having “Joe Rosenthal Way” there ensures that his legacy will be visible to locals and visitors alike. It’s our hope that people will see the street sign and take a moment to learn about the man behind the camera.Rosenthal’s story is one of talent,dedication,and humility,and it’s a story that deserves to be shared. The marines Memorial Club, located on the newly named street, also welcomed the tribute, further solidifying the connection between Rosenthal’s wartime contributions and his love for San Francisco.
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### **A Humble Hero**
**Senior Editor:**
Rosenthal himself was known for his humility. He once said, “Sure, I took the photo, but the Marines took Iwo Jima.” How does his humility add to his legacy?
**Tom graves:**
Rosenthal’s humility is one of the most endearing aspects of his character. He never sought the spotlight, even after capturing one of the most iconic images in history. His focus was always on the story he was telling and the people he was photographing. This humility, combined with his incredible talent, made him a beloved figure both during his lifetime and in the years since his passing. It’s a reminder that true greatness often comes from a place of quiet dedication and service, and that’s exactly what Rosenthal embodied.
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**Conclusion:**
Joe Rosenthal’s work continues to inspire and connect with audiences across the globe. From his iconic wartime photographs to his vibrant local journalism, his legacy is a testament to the power of photography to capture moments of courage, resilience, and everyday beauty. As San Francisco celebrates his contributions with the renaming of “Joe Rosenthal Way,” his story remains a timeless reminder of the impact one person can have through the lens of a camera.
