As I mentioned originally, I was quite happy to find that the author of this book is around, very affable and willing to talk quite extensively about his platoon which raised the first flag. He was in the Company of the men who raised both flags. John Bradley, the Navy corpsman in the second flag raising photo, was actually assigned to the Third Platoon that raised the first flag. According to Mr. Wheeler, John Bradley was involved with the first raising also, although evidence of such has only been established relatively recently. Mr. Wheeler makes it quite clear that the second raising was not staged. Two events triggered the raising- to get up a larger flag and so that Colonel Johnson could save it for Marine Corps history. I have asked Mr. Wheeler to join this site and am waiting for his reply.