Iwo JimaIwo JimaThe battleThe battle

And And

The flag raisersThe flag raisers

The battleThe battle

One hundred thousand men fighting for an One hundred thousand men fighting for an island one third the size of Manhattan. island one third the size of Manhattan.

The battle lasted for 36 days.The battle lasted for 36 days. February 19,1945 at 8:30 a.m. the order came in February 19,1945 at 8:30 a.m. the order came in

to “Land the landing force” which sent the first to “Land the landing force” which sent the first wave of marines toward the deadly shores which wave of marines toward the deadly shores which made them sitting ducks for the Japanese. made them sitting ducks for the Japanese.

They were always in range to be shot.They were always in range to be shot. The U.S. rarely saw the enemy.The U.S. rarely saw the enemy.

The SoldiersThe Soldiers

Mike Strank 1919-1945Mike Strank 1919-1945At home as a boy, Mike was studious, At home as a boy, Mike was studious, had a photographic memory, played the had a photographic memory, played the French Horn and once slugged a baseball French Horn and once slugged a baseball out of Points Stadium in Johnstown.out of Points Stadium in Johnstown. Their leader and Sergeant, it was Mike Their leader and Sergeant, it was Mike who got the order to climb Mt. Suribachi. who got the order to climb Mt. Suribachi. Mike died on March 1, 1945. He was hit Mike died on March 1, 1945. He was hit by a mortar as he was diagramming a by a mortar as he was diagramming a plan in the sand for his boys.plan in the sand for his boys. Mike is buried in Arlington National Mike is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.Cemetery.

Harlon Block 1924-1945 Harlon was an outgoing daredevil with many friends

at Weslaco High School. A natural athlete, Harlon led the Weslaco Panther Football Team to the Conference Championship. He was honored as "All South Texas End."

Harlon was Sgt. Mike's second-in-command. He took over the leadership of his unit when Sgt. Mike was killed. Harlon was killed by a mortar blast hours later on March 1 at the age of 21.

 Harlon is buried beside the Iwo Jima Monument in Harlingen, Texas.

Franklin Sousley 1925-1945 Franklin Sousley 1925-1945

Franklin was a red-haired, freckle-faced Franklin was a red-haired, freckle-faced "Opie Taylor" raised on a tobacco farm. His "Opie Taylor" raised on a tobacco farm. His favorite hobbies were hunting and favorite hobbies were hunting and dancing. Fatherless at 9, Franklin became dancing. Fatherless at 9, Franklin became the main man in his mother's life. Franklin the main man in his mother's life. Franklin enlisted at 17 and sailed for the Pacific on enlisted at 17 and sailed for the Pacific on his 18th Birthday. his 18th Birthday.

Franklin was the last flag-raiser to die on Franklin was the last flag-raiser to die on Iwo Jima, on March 21 at the age of 19.Iwo Jima, on March 21 at the age of 19.

Franklin is buried at Elizaville Cemetery, Franklin is buried at Elizaville Cemetery, Kentucky.Kentucky.

Ira Hayes 1923-1955Ira Hayes 1923-1955 Ira Hayes was a Pima Indian. When he enlisted in the Ira Hayes was a Pima Indian. When he enlisted in the

Marine Corps, he had hardly ever been off the Marine Corps, he had hardly ever been off the Reservation. His Chief told him to be an "Honorable Reservation. His Chief told him to be an "Honorable Warrior" and bring honor upon his family. Ira was a Warrior" and bring honor upon his family. Ira was a dedicated Marine. Quiet and steady, he was admired dedicated Marine. Quiet and steady, he was admired by his fellow Marines who fought alongside him in by his fellow Marines who fought alongside him in three Pacific battles. three Pacific battles.

When Ira learned that President Roosevelt wanted When Ira learned that President Roosevelt wanted him and the other survivors to come back to the US him and the other survivors to come back to the US to raise money on the 7th Bond Tour, he was to raise money on the 7th Bond Tour, he was horrified. horrified.

Ira tried to drown his "Conflict of Honor" with alcohol. Ira tried to drown his "Conflict of Honor" with alcohol. Ira died later after a night of drinking. As Ira drank Ira died later after a night of drinking. As Ira drank

his last bottle of whiskey he was crying and his last bottle of whiskey he was crying and mumbling about his "good buddies." Ira was 32.mumbling about his "good buddies." Ira was 32.

Rene Gagnon Rene Gagnon  1925-1975 1925-1975

Rene Gagnon was the youngest survivor and the man Rene Gagnon was the youngest survivor and the man who carried the flag up Mt. Suribachi. He was the who carried the flag up Mt. Suribachi. He was the first survivor to arrive back in the US. first survivor to arrive back in the US.

Rene was modest about his achievement throughout Rene was modest about his achievement throughout his life.his life.

Rene is honored with a special room in New Rene is honored with a special room in New Hampshire's prestigious WrightHampshire's prestigious WrightMuseum.Museum.

Rene is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, the Rene is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, the Flag Raiser buried closest to the Marine Corps Flag Raiser buried closest to the Marine Corps Memorial.Memorial.

John Bradley 1923-1994 John Bradley 1923-1994

Bradley was a Navy Corpsman who "just Bradley was a Navy Corpsman who "just jumped in to lend a hand." He won the jumped in to lend a hand." He won the Navy CrossNavy Cross for heroism and was wounded in for heroism and was wounded in both legs. both legs.

Of the surviving Flag Raisers, only Bradley Of the surviving Flag Raisers, only Bradley was successful in putting his life back was successful in putting his life back together after the war."  together after the war." 

John Bradley returned to his home town in the John Bradley returned to his home town in the Midwest after the war, prospered as the owner Midwest after the war, prospered as the owner of a family business, and gave generously of of a family business, and gave generously of his time and money to local causes. He was his time and money to local causes. He was married for 47 years and had eight children. married for 47 years and had eight children.

Raising The Flag