Photographer of the Week Write-up

           Joe Rosenthal was a man who was never supposed to be known. He started his hobby of photo-taking during his 20's in the Great Depression, where he would take pictures of Life in America. Shortly after, he decided to try out his talent in the military-- as a war photographer. Originally, the Army rejected him because they said his eyesight wasn't good enough, so he decided to join the Associated Press instead. While he was working for the Associated Press at the University of San Francisco, he still had dreams of being a war photographer. 2 years after joining the AP, he joined the US Maritime Service as a war photographer and as a Warrant Officer-- He would give out warrants to those who deserved it, and also documented what he saw with his camera. He claimed he just documented life through the British Isles and Northern Africa. After a year in the military, he rejoined the AP. A year later again, he left the AP. Rosenthal was named Chief Photographer and Manager of Times World Wide Photos. Eventually, after moving around so often, he stuck with one title with one paper for 35 years-- photographer for the San Francisco Chronicle.  Due to his service in the US Maritime Service, and his photography during World War II, he was named an Honorary Marine and was awarded a medal in 1996. 10 years later, he died due to natural causes in his sleep. A month later, he was cremated and a memorial ceremony was held for him at the Marine's Memorial Club-- He was very respected by the military and was treated as if he was a veteran. No doubt his famous Iwo Jima picture will go down as one of the greatest war photographs of all time.