Chapter Two: All-American Boys Summary and Analysis

After his visit to Iwo Jima, Bradley decided to try to find out as much as possible about the six young men who raised the American Flag on Iwo Jima, including his father who was a silent and private man. For that purpose, he read many books and interviewed scores of people.

John Bradley's father, James Bradley, was a railroad man and a veteran of World War I. His mother, Kathryn, was the worrier in the family but always relied upon her Catholic religion to get her through. When the Depression hit, John moved his wife and five kids from Texas to Appleton, WI, where there was more potential. It was at church where young Jack noticed the prosperous funeral directors and aspired to be like them. He eventually worked part-time at a funeral parlor...