On February 24, Lt. Schrier ordered Platoon Sgt. Thomas to report early the next morning to Marine Lieutenant General Holland Smith aboard Navy Vice Admiral Richmond K. Turner's flagship the  about the flag raising on Mount Suribachi. On February 25, Platoon Sgt.
The next day, Lt. Schrier instructed Platoon Sgt. Thomas to arrive at an early hour to meet with Marine Lieutenant General Holland Smith aboard Navy Vice Admiral Richmond K. Turner's flagship, USS Bataan, to discuss the upcoming flag-raising ceremony on Mount Suribachi. On February 25, Platoon Sgt.