Iwo Jima The battle And The flag raisers

The battle One hundred thousand men fighting for an island one third the size of Manhattan. One hundred thousand men fighting for an 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 to “Land the landing force” which sent the first wave of marines toward the deadly shores which made them sitting ducks for the Japanese. February 19,1945 at 8:30 a.m. the order came in to “Land the landing force” which sent the first wave of marines toward the deadly shores which 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 Soldiers

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

Harlon Block 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 Franklin was a red-haired, freckle-faced "Opie Taylor" raised on a tobacco farm. His favorite hobbies were hunting and dancing. Fatherless at 9, Franklin became the main man in his mother's life. Franklin enlisted at 17 and sailed for the Pacific on his 18th Birthday. Franklin was a red-haired, freckle-faced "Opie Taylor" raised on a tobacco farm. His favorite hobbies were hunting and dancing. Fatherless at 9, Franklin became the main man in his mother's life. Franklin enlisted at 17 and sailed for the Pacific on his 18th Birthday. Franklin was the last flag-raiser to die on Iwo Jima, on March 21 at the age of 19. Franklin was the last flag-raiser to die on Iwo Jima, on March 21 at the age of 19. Franklin is buried at Elizaville Cemetery, Kentucky. Franklin is buried at Elizaville Cemetery, Kentucky.

Ira Hayes Ira Hayes was a Pima Indian. When he enlisted in the Marine Corps, he had hardly ever been off the Reservation. His Chief told him to be an "Honorable Warrior" and bring honor upon his family. Ira was a dedicated Marine. Quiet and steady, he was admired by his fellow Marines who fought alongside him in three Pacific battles. Ira Hayes was a Pima Indian. When he enlisted in the Marine Corps, he had hardly ever been off the Reservation. His Chief told him to be an "Honorable Warrior" and bring honor upon his family. Ira was a dedicated Marine. Quiet and steady, he was admired by his fellow Marines who fought alongside him in three Pacific battles. When Ira learned that President Roosevelt wanted him and the other survivors to come back to the US to raise money on the 7th Bond Tour, he was horrified. When Ira learned that President Roosevelt wanted him and the other survivors to come back to the US to raise money on the 7th Bond Tour, he was 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 his last bottle of whiskey he was crying and mumbling about his "good buddies." Ira was 32. Ira died later after a night of drinking. As Ira drank his last bottle of whiskey he was crying and mumbling about his "good buddies." Ira was 32.

Rene Gagnon Rene Gagnon was the youngest survivor and the man who carried the flag up Mt. Suribachi. He was the first survivor to arrive back in the US. Rene Gagnon was the youngest survivor and the man who carried the flag up Mt. Suribachi. He was the first survivor to arrive back in the US. Rene was modest about his achievement throughout his life. Rene was modest about his achievement throughout his life. Rene is honored with a special room in New Hampshire's prestigious Wright Museum. Rene is honored with a special room in New Hampshire's prestigious Wright Museum. Rene is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, the Flag Raiser buried closest to the Marine Corps Memorial. Rene is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, the Flag Raiser buried closest to the Marine Corps Memorial.

John Bradley Bradley was a Navy Corpsman who "just jumped in to lend a hand." He won the Navy Cross for heroism and was wounded in both legs. Bradley was a Navy Corpsman who "just jumped in to lend a hand." He won the Navy Cross for heroism and was wounded in both legs.Navy CrossNavy Cross Of the surviving Flag Raisers, only Bradley was successful in putting his life back together after the war." Of the surviving Flag Raisers, only Bradley was successful in putting his life back together after the war." John Bradley returned to his home town in the Midwest after the war, prospered as the owner of a family business, and gave generously of his time and money to local causes. He was married for 47 years and had eight children. John Bradley returned to his home town in the Midwest after the war, prospered as the owner of a family business, and gave generously of his time and money to local causes. He was married for 47 years and had eight children.

Raising The Flag