Charles W. "Chuck" Lindberg - June 26, 1920 to June 24, 2007

Marine Corporal Charles W. Lindberg died on June 24th, 2007.

Mr. Lindberg was the last remaining flag raiser from either flag raising during World War II on Iwo Jima. He participated in the first flag raising that was photographed, but isn't as well known as the second flag raising that was captured on film by Joe Rosethal and forever immortalized by the US Marine Corps. The first flag was smaller than the second and officers in charge thought the first flag might be taken as a souvenir and lost to history given its importance. Additionally, the larger second flag could be seen further from Mt. Suribachi giving more U.S. troops inspiration during the battle for Iwo Jima.

Picture of the first flag raising at Iwo Jima.

Charles Lindberg and Mike Colalillo attended the Minnesota World War II Memorial dedication on June 9th, 2007. Mr Colalillo is the last living Minnesota WWII Medal of Honor recipient.

Picture of Picture of Charles Lindberg (right) and Mike Colalillo (MN Medal of Honor recipient from WWII) at the Minnesota WWII Memorial Dedication.

- courtesy Seasons Remembered

Links for more information about Marine Corporal Charles W. Lindberg:

• Star Tribune Obituary - www.legacy.com/StarTribune/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=89657455
  
  
• USMC "Who's Who in Marine Corps History" - www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/Lindberg_CW.htm
  
  
• Aging in America Project (go to bottom of the page to view a story and portrait done by Jim Branscum) - www.nnhw.org/resources/aging_art.cfm (no longer on website)
  
  
• Another story on the above drawing but also includes a picture when Mr. Lindberg meet President Clinton - web.tampabay.rr.com/babi/iwojima.html (no longer on website)
  
  
• The City of Richfield, Minnesota honored Charles Lindberg by proclaiming February 23, 2005 to be "Charles Wilard Lindberg Day". Information and pictures are included about that day on the Richfield All Veterans Memorial website - www.richfieldveteransmemorial.org/history.htm
  
  
• WCCO Story about Charles Lindberg - wcco.com/topstories/The.Last.Flagraiser.2.355730.html
  
  
• WCCO Documentary "The Last Flagraiser" - www.lastflagraiser.com (site no longer active)
  
  
• MN Public Radio story on Charles Lindberg - news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/02/18_wurzerc_photo/
  
  
• EyeWitness to History story - www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/iwoflag.htm

A poem dedicated to Charles Lindberg from Robert Beskar:

“Old Glory” Waves Goodbye

Our nation’s lost an icon…
And “Old Glory’s” lost a friend…
For Chuck Lindberg, our last flagraiser…
Will be missed by all of them!

He’s now passed into history…
And will have long lasting fame…
Just like his fellow comrades…
Who were included with his name.

He was a proud Marine…
Like so many on that day…
Who raised up “Old Glory”…
And put her on display!

The event spurred on our country…
To end the job at hand…
And though the cost of Iwo Jima…
Sent a shock throughout our land!

Chuck Lindberg kept alive…
The spirit of that day…
And how “Old Glory” gave men hope…
When things had gone array!

But now Chuck’s fallen silent…
And his Master’s called him back…
For his work is now complete…
And history’s now exact!

“Old Glory” won’t forget him…
Because she was his friend…
And he loved her stars and stripes…
Right to his very end!

So now she’ll wave goodbye…
To a man who loved her so…
And risked his life that others might…
Fight on to reach their goal!

Dedicated to the memory of Charles “Chuck”
Lindberg: the last flagraiser of Iwo Jima.

By  Bob Beskar  6-24-2007