Who stated, "The raising of that flag on Mt. Suribachi means a Marine Corps for the next 500 years"?

The statement, "The raising of that flag on Mt. Suribachi means a Marine Corps for the next 500 years," was made by Secretary of the Navy James V. Forrestal. This assertion reflects the profound impact that the iconic photograph of the flag raising had on the national psyche during World War II and symbolizes the indomitable spirit and legacy of the Marine Corps. The event at Iwo Jima, with the famous image taken by photographer Joe Rosenthal, rallied public support and pride in the U.S. military, particularly the Marines, at a critical point in the war. The phrase captures the notion that the valor and sacrifice exemplified by the Marines at Iwo Jima would ensure the Marine Corps' prominence and legacy for generations to come. This statement is often cited in discussions about military heritage and the significance of symbols in American military history.