Charles Lindberg

Last survivor of first Iwo Jima flag-raising died
Updated: 1 hour, 42 minutes ago
RICHFIELD, Minn. - Charles Lindberg, the last survivor of the first American flag-raising over Iwo Jima during World War Two, has died. He was 86.

One of the watermark moments of WWII.

His was the patrol that originally raised the flag a top Suribachi, not the recreated scene made famous by the photo. Here with the original pic.
http://www.thewrestlingtalk.com/imag...2007/06/4.jpeg

Corporal Lindberg and his nasty flame thrower
http://hqinet001.hqmc.usmc.mil/HD/IM...indberg_CW.jpg

I bet that flame thrower was a b____ to carry around.

Fun toy, but you became a priority target.

Depending on the model, they weigh between 45 and 80 pounds. While the operator was a special target for snipers during WWII, and there are documented cases of the SS murdering them out-of-hand when captured, the operator is usually held in reserve until there is a need, then brought up to work his magic. Very little is as effective when dealing with bunkers, caves, etc. However, you have to get pretty close - my memory is within 50 yards.
By the way, the US military stopped using them somewhere around the late 70's - although there is no treaty or agreement. Just a recognition of the bad publicity.