SAN FRANCISCO — A block in downtown San Francisco was officially renamed on Thursday to honor Joe Rosenthal, the renowned photojournalist behind one of World War II’s most iconic images—the U.S. Marines raising the flag atop Mount Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima. This significant moment in history, captured in 1945, won him the Pulitzer Prize. Rosenthal passed away in 2006 at the age of 94.

At the conclusion of World War II, Rosenthal transitioned to a prominent role as a staff photographer for the San Francisco Chronicle, where he devoted 35 years of his career until retirement in 1981. His lens documented countless facets of life in the city, from notable figures like Willie Mays fitting into a San Francisco Giants cap in 1957 to the simple, joyful expressions of children on the last day of school in 1965.

The 600 block of Sutter Street, located close to Union Square, is now recognized as Joe Rosenthal Way following a brief ceremony on Thursday morning. The Marines Memorial Club, situated on this block, played a key role in commemorating Rosenthal’s legacy.

During the ceremony, Aaron Peskin, the Chair of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, addressed attendees that included political figures, military representatives, and Rosenthal’s family, paying tribute to the late photographer, who was born to Russian Jewish immigrants in Washington, D.C. The famous photograph of the flag raising not only served as an enduring symbol of American resolve but also became the focal point of a war bond campaign that successfully raised $26 billion in 1945. Tom Graves, a historian from the USMC Combat Correspondents Association, which advocated for the street naming, stated that Rosenthal’s imagery played a critical role in the war effort.

Graves expressed hope that both tourists and locals will discover Rosenthal’s name on the street sign and take an interest in learning about the photographer, known for his remarkable skill despite poor eyesight. Rosenthal always remained humble about his contributions, never viewing himself as a hero, but rather as a fortunate photographer who was able to capture the valiant efforts of servicemen.

Reflecting on the acclaim he received for his Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph, Rosenthal famously remarked, “Sure, I took the photo. But the Marines took Iwo Jima.”