By February 1945 the United States had been fighting World War II for more than three years. Soldiers were worn down from battle, and civilians were drained by sacrifice. But a photograph of Marines raising an American flag on Japanese soil gave a wearied nation a renewed sense of pride and hope. The powerful image of strength and determination vecame th emos famous image of the war. It not only captured a moment of victory against a strong foe, but it also represented the effort every member of armed forces had made. It offered Americans the promise of citory and an end to conflict.