Corporal Edward Chin placed a U.S. flag over the face of the statue of Saddam Hussein during the toppling of the statue in Baghdad on April 9, 2003. This act was symbolic, representing the liberation of Iraq from Saddam's regime and serving as a gesture of respect and honor for the sacrifices made by American soldiers and the Iraqi people. The flag covered the statue's face to signify the end of an era marked by oppression and to celebrate the arrival of freedom and democracy in Iraq.

This moment was captured in iconic photographs and became emblematic of the U.S. military's presence in Iraq during the early stages of the Iraq War. The action was intended to convey a message of hope and a new beginning for the Iraqi people following years of dictatorship.