USA NAVY Team Raising Flag

Late Wednesday night, the Navy Men’s swimming & diving seniors recreated the historic flag-raising on the island of Iwo Jima from World War II: one of that war’s most lasting and iconic images.

The original picture was taken by Joe Rosenthal on February 23rd, 1945 as Marines raised an American flag on Mount Suribachi.

A group of freshman from the Navy men’s swim team decided to recreate the shot, and it has become an internet sensation: the biggest from swimming since the Georgia men did the Harlem Shake underwater. It even had Navy Swimming trending nationwide on Twitter at one point.

This photo obviously has a much great emotional impact and significance, as some of these swimmers will one day likely become members of the United States Marine Corps.

The team opens its competitive season on October 3rd with a tri meet at home against George Mason and Loyola-Maryland.