The Flag Raising of Iwo Jima

The Milford Museum American History Series continues with a program titled The Flag Raising Controversy of Iwo Jima presented by Tom Summers on Saturday, June 13, 1:00 p.m. at the Milford Public Library in Milford, Delaware. One of the most famous images in American history, Joe Rosenthal's photograph of the flag raising on Iwo Jima has a fascinating story that continues to evolve into the 21st century. The flag raising on February 23, 1945, was a proud moment for the United States Marine Corps during World War II, and a key point during the bloody struggle to take the island of Iwo Jima. This presentation examines the background of the battle that led to the famous photograph, the details of the flag raising, and the history and controversy surrounding the identities of the men who participated in the event.

A 12th generation Delawarean, Tom Summers was born and raised in Milford. After earning a bachelor’s degree in history from Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland, Summers joined the U.S. Navy and served as an air traffic controller in the Chicago area. Upon returning to Delaware, Tom began a long career at the Delaware Public Archives, serving in numerous roles such as Historical Markers Coordinator, Education Specialist, and Outreach Services Manager. In 2020, Tom transferred to Delaware State Parks to become Manager of the Cultural Resource Unit. Retiring in June 2023, Tom became part-time Director at the Milford Museum in July of that year. Tom served his community for twenty years with the Dover Downtown Rotary Club and continues to serve as an adjunct professor at Delaware Tech, where he has been an instructor for more than 24 years.