By Craig Marx, Editor

After an investigation by a United States Marine Corps historical unit was concluded on Thursday, Antigo’s John Bradley was found to be falsely identified in Joe Rosenthal’s legendary Iwo Jima flag raising photograph from World War II as one of the raising’s participants.

The story of the men behind the flag raising, popularized in the book and film “Flags of Our Fathers” by John’s son James, had always been a source of pride among Antigonians and will be a historical loss for the community as well as the Bradley family.

John, a humble man that served as a Corpsman in the Battle of Iwo Jima, was awarded the Navy Cross and was involved in a flag raising that occurred sometime before the dramatically photographed Rosenthal picture.

Private, First Class Harold Schultz, of Detroit, Mich., is now credited as the man in Bradley’s position in the photo.

Despite the loss of this historical notoriety, Bradley led by example and was a great soldier, father, and contributor to the Antigo community. His image will always be that of an exceptional man that triumphed over fear and tyranny, as much of that generation did, for the betterment of the world.

More information on this finding will be provided as soon as possible.