Why a Marine who helped raise the flag on Iwo Jima kept it a secret for decades

Here's my thought and I don't want it to be construed that I don't believe Schultz' story. My questioning this and a buck will get you a lukewarm cup of coffee.

Ira Hayes was one of the 2nd flag raisers. That isnt disputed. Harlon Block was also one. Block was misidentified when the photo was originally released to the public. Block's mom was adamant after the war that her son was part of that team. Ira Hayes walked from his home in Arizona to meet with Mrs. Block and tell her that she was correct. And after that Block was then formally ID'd by the Corps.

Now if he did that, why wouldn't he tell everyone else who the others on the 2nd detail were? Why would he not told his superiors that Bradley and Gagnon weren't actually raising that flag? No records exist that he said anything of the kind. At least, that I know of.

Thank You Brother Dale for this story about Marine Cpl. Harold Henry Schultz. It's a helluva story about the Flag Raising on Iwo Jima. His story sounds like so many WWII Vets in that they didn't say any or much about their service, which didn't help their PTSD from what I've learned in treating mine. If you don't talk about it, it just festers in you from what I found out.