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FIFTH US MARINE PATCH BELONGING TO CORPORAL RENE

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:400.00 USD Estimated At:800.00 - 1,200.00 USD
FIFTH US MARINE PATCH BELONGING TO CORPORAL RENE
A. GAGNON WHO WAS INVOLVED IN THE FLAG RAISING ON IWO JIMA. A spectacularly historic patch belonging to one of the principles of the flag raising on Mt. Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima. Corporal Gagnon’s involvement in the flag raising has been up for debate for many years. What seems to be certain is that Cpl. Gagnon lowered the first flag raised on Mt. Suribachi & returned it to Marine headquarters. He then carried a larger flag, along w/ a radio, back up Mt. Surbachi to be raised in place of the smaller flag. Though Cpl. Gagnon, who died in 1979 maintained that he helped raise the second flag, Research has determined that he was not one of the Marines in the famous photo of the flag raising. Whether he had hands on the flag pole or not, Cpl. Gagnon was instrumental in the flag raising, creating one of America’s most iconic images. The patch is signed on the reverse, “Rene A. Gagnon”. The patch once belonged to Mrs. Rollo B. Potter of Acworth, NH who operated a private museum w/ a collection of military & political curiosities. Her mounting card is attached that reads, “Cpl. Rene A Gagnon USMC” & “Sleeve patch from the uniform of Corporal Rene A Gagnon & presented to Mrs. Rollo Potter May 3-1948. Three years after he took part in the historic flag-raising on Feb. 23, 1945 atop Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima”. Attached to the card is a 3 cent Iwo Jima stamp housed in plastic. It is hard to imagine a more historic Marine Corps patch worthy of any museum or the most advanced collection. CONDITION: patch shows overall light wear. Card mounting is a bit discolored w/ less discoloration under the patch. Writing remains clear & legible. (02-15010/BF). $800-1,200.