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Author James Bradley dies; Marine Corps refutes flag-raiser claim.

6/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

James Bradley, author of *Flags of Our Fathers*, died on June 5 at age 72 in Antigo, Wisconsin.
*Flags of Our Fathers* hit No. 1 bestseller and became a 2006 Eastwood film.
A Marine Corps investigation confirmed the February 23, 1945 Rosenthal photo shows six flag-raisers—Strank, Block, Hayes, Sousley, Schultz and Keller—not Bradley’s father.
Bradley admitted his earlier claim was incorrect.

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Story summary

James Bradley, author of *Flags of Our Fathers*, died on June 5 at age 72 in Antigo, Wisconsin.
*Flags of Our Fathers* hit No. 1 bestseller and became a 2006 Eastwood film.
A Marine Corps investigation confirmed the February 23, 1945 Rosenthal photo shows six flag-raisers—Strank, Block, Hayes, Sousley, Schultz and Keller—not Bradley’s father.
Bradley admitted his earlier claim was incorrect.