Sergeant Michael Strank (in Rusyn: Mykhal Strenk; in Slovak: Michal Strenk) (November 10, 1919 – March 1, 1945) was a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He was photographed raising the flag atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima. The leader of the group in the famous picture was Strank, who got the order to climb Mt. Suribachi to lay telephone wire. Accompanying him were CPL Harlon Block, PFC Ira Hayes and PFC Franklin Sousley. About halfway up the mountain, they were joined by PFC Rene Gagnon, who was carrying a larger flag to the summit to replace the smaller one which had been raised earlier in the day. Upon reaching the summit, Strank took the flag from Gagnon, and explained to Lieutenant Harold Schrier that "Colonel Johnson wants this big flag run up high so every son of a bitch on this whole cruddy island can see it." Strank, along with his aforementioned men and Navy Corpsman John Bradley (who was already on the summit of Mt. Suribachi), raised the second flag. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1600x2000, 1010 KB) Michael Strank Source: http://hqinet001. ... Temporary grave of an American machine-gunner during the Battle of Normandy. ... For other uses, see Iwo Jima (disambiguation). ... The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the United States military responsible for providing power projection from the sea,[1] utilizing the mobility of the U.S. Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces. ... The 2nd Battalion 28th Marines (2/28) is an inactive infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Category: Possible copyright violations ... Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders Holland Smith Tadamichi Kuribayashi â€  Strength 110,000 22,000 Casualties 6,825 killed in action,[1] 1,401 died of wounds,[1] 19,189 wounded,[1] 494 missing[1] Total: 27,909 20,703 dead,[1] 216 captured[1] Total: 20,919 The... The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration and is the fourth highest award for bravery, heroism or meritorious service. ... For other meanings see Purple Heart (disambiguation). ... November 10 is the 314th day of the year (315th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 51 days remaining. ... Year 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ... March 1 is the 60th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (61st in leap years). ... 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday. ... The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the United States military responsible for providing power projection from the sea,[1] utilizing the mobility of the U.S. Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, by Joe Rosenthal / The Associated Press. ... Iwo Jima (Japanese 硫黄島 Iōjima, meaning sulfur island) is a volcanic island in Japan, part of the Volcano Islands (also known as the Ogasawara Islands), approximately 650 miles (1046 km) south of Tokyo (24. ... Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders Holland Smith Tadamichi Kuribayashi â€  Strength 110,000 22,000 Casualties 6,825 killed in action,[1] 1,401 died of wounds,[1] 19,189 wounded,[1] 494 missing[1] Total: 27,909 20,703 dead,[1] 216 captured[1] Total: 20,919 The... Iwo Jima (Japanese 硫黄島 Iōjima, meaning sulfur island) is a volcanic island in Japan, part of the Volcano Islands (also known as the Ogasawara Islands), approximately 650 miles (1046 km) south of Tokyo (24. ... CPL may stand for: The Cyberathlete Professional League: a professional e-sports league. ... Harlon Block (November 6, 1924 - March 1, 1945) was a marine during World War II. He was photographed in Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima during the Battle of Iwo Jima. ... PFC can be an acronym/initialism for perfluorocarbon Private First Class passenger facility charge, an FAA-regulated tax that U.S. airports charge passengers to fund airport improvements prefrontal cortex (part of the cerebral cortex) prepaid finance charge the Portsmouth Football Club Powerbuilder Foundation Class Power factor correction Policy Feature... Ira Hamilton Hayes (January 12, 1923 – January 24, 1955) was a Akimel O’odham, or Pima Indian, and an enrolled member of the Gila River Indian Community. ... PFC can be an acronym/initialism for perfluorocarbon Private First Class passenger facility charge, an FAA-regulated tax that U.S. airports charge passengers to fund airport improvements prefrontal cortex (part of the cerebral cortex) prepaid finance charge the Portsmouth Football Club Powerbuilder Foundation Class Power factor correction Policy Feature... Franklin Runyan Sousley (September 19, 1925-March 21, 1945) was one of the six men in the famous photograph of Marines Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima. ... PFC can be an acronym/initialism for perfluorocarbon Private First Class passenger facility charge, an FAA-regulated tax that U.S. airports charge passengers to fund airport improvements prefrontal cortex (part of the cerebral cortex) prepaid finance charge the Portsmouth Football Club Powerbuilder Foundation Class Power factor correction Policy Feature... Rene Arthur Gagnon (March 7, 1925 – October 12, 1979) was one of the U.S. Marines immortalized by Joe Rosenthals famous World War II photograph Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima. ... Lieutenant is a military, naval, paramilitary, fire service or police officer rank. ... Colonel Harold George Schrier (October 17, 1916 - June 3, 1971) was an officer in the United States Marine Corps, recipient of the Navy Cross, the nations second highest award for valor, and a combat veteran of World War II and the Korean War. ... Hospital Corpsmen (HMs) are members of the United States Navy Hospital Corps. ... John Jack Doc Bradley (July 10, 1923 – January 11, 1994) was a US Navy corpsman during World War II, and one of the six men who took part in Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima. ...

Early life

Michael Strank was born in Jarabina, a small Rusyn-inhabited village in Slovakia. He was the son of Vasil Strenk and Marta Grofikova, natives of Czechoslovakia (his father was also known as Charles Strank). His father moved to Franklin Borough in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, found work in a steel mill and brought his family over when he had enough money to pay for the trip. Location of Stará Ľubovňa District in the PreÅ¡ov Region. ... Rusyns, also called Ruthenians, Ruthenes, Rusins, Carpatho-Rusins, and Russniaks, are a modern group of ethnic groups that speak the Rusyn language and are descended from the minority of Ruthenians who did not adopt a Ukrainian national identity and become Ukrainians in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. ... Franklin is a borough in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States. ... Nickname: Flood City Location of Pennsylvania within the USA Johnstown, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. Coordinates: Country United States State Pennsylvania County Cambria Government  - Mayor Tom Trigona Area  - City  6. ... A steel mill at the turn of the century in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania A steel mill (British English and Australian English steelworks) is an industrial plant for the manufacture of steel. ...

School and the Marine Corps

He attended the schools of Franklin Borough, Pennsylvania and graduated from high school in 1937. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps where he remained for 18 months and then became a highway laborer for the state. Official language(s) English, Pennsylvania Dutch Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Area  Ranked 33rd  - Total 46,055 sq mi (119,283 km²)  - Width 280 miles (455 km)  - Length 160 miles (255 km)  - % water 2. ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... CCC workers on road construction, Camp Euclid, Ohio 1936 The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a work relief program for young men from unemployed families established on March 19, 1933 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his first hundred days. ...

Michael Strank enlisted in the regular Marine Corps for four years at Pittsburgh on October 6, 1939. He was assigned to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island where, after completing recruit training in December, Private Strank was transferred to Headquarters Company, Post Troops, at the same base. Transferred to Provisional Company W at Parris Island on January 17, 1941, Strank, now a Private First Class, sailed for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, arriving on the 23rd. Strank was assigned to Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Brigade (on 1 February, the 1st Marine Brigade was later redesignated the 1st Marine Division). On April 8, now assigned to Company K, he returned to the States and proceeded to MCRD Parris Island. In September, Strank moved with the division to New River, North Carolina. He was promoted to Corporal on April 23, 1941, and was advanced to Sergeant on January 26, 1942. Nickname: Steel City, Iron City, Steel Town, City of Champions, City of Bridges, City of Colleges, The Burgh Motto: Benigno Numine (With the Benevolent Deity) Location in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Coordinates: Country United States State Pennsylvania County Allegheny County Founded November 25, 1758 Incorporated April 22, 1794 (borough)   March 18... October 6 is the 279th day of the year (280th in leap years). ... 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full year calendar). ... Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island is an 8,095 acre (32. ... January 17 is the 17th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... Map of Cuba with location of Guantánamo Bay indicated. ... The 3rd Battalion 7th Marine Regiment (3/7) is an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. ... The 1st Marine Division is the oldest, largest (active duty), and most decorated division in the United States Marine Corps representing a combat-ready force of more than 19,000 men and women. ... April 8 is the 98th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (99th in leap years). ... Marine Corps Air Station New River is a helicopter base near Jacksonville, North Carolina, in the eastern part of the state. ... Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries, police forces or other uniformed organizations around the world. ... April 23 is the 113th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (114th in leap years). ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organisations around the world. ... January 26 is the 26th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ...

Combat service prior to the Battle of Iwo Jima

With 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, early in April 1942, he journeyed cross-country to San Diego, California, from whence he sailed on the 12th. On May 31, 1942, he landed on Uvea, largest of the Wallis Islands. In September, after a short tenure with the 22nd Marines, he was transferred to the 3rd Marine Raider Battalion, also at Uvea. With the Raiders, he participated in the landing operations and occupation of Pavuvu Island in the Russell Islands from February 21 until March 18, and in the seizure and occupation of the Empress Augusta Bay during the Battle of Bougainville from November 1 until January 12, 1944. On February 14, he was returned to San Diego for rest and reassignment. The 3rd Battalion 7th Marine Regiment (3/7) is an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. ... Flag Seal Nickname: Americas Finest City Location Location of San Diego within San Diego County Coordinates , Government County San Diego Mayor City Attorney         City Council District One District Two District Three District Four District Five District Six District Seven District Eight Jerry Sanders (R) Michael Aguirre Scott Peters Kevin... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... May 31 is the 151st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (152nd in leap years), with 214 days remaining. ... 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... For the Pacific island, see Wallis Island. ... The Collectivity of Wallis and Futuna (French: Collectivité de Wallis et Futuna) is a group of mainly three volcanic tropical islands (Wallis, Futuna, and Alofi) with fringing reefs located in the South Pacific Ocean between Fiji and Samoa. ... Marine Raider insignia The Marine Raiders were elite units established by the United States Marine Corps during World War II to conduct amphibious light infantry warfare, particularly in landing in rubber boats and operating behind the lines. ... The Russell Islands are two important small islands, as well as several islets, of volcanic origin, in the central Solomon Islands. ... February 21 is the 52nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... March 18 is the 77th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (78th in leap years). ... Empress Augusta Bay is a major geographical feature on the western side of the island of Bougainville, in Papua New Guinea. ... The Bougainville campaign of 1944-45, was a campaign of World War II. The island of Bougainville was of strategic importance to the Allies and Japanese, in both the Pacific Ocean and South West Pacific theatres. ... November 1 is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 60 days remaining. ... January 12 is the 12th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... February 14 is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

On return from leave, Sergeant Strank was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, [[5th Marine Division (United States}|5th Marine Division]]. After extensive training at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and in Hawaii, Strank was placed in command of a squad, and landed with them on Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945 during the Battle of Iwo Jima. He was instructed by a commanding officer to hoist a larger flag on top of Mount Suribachi so that it could be seen at great distance. While doing this, he and the other five men were photographed in mid-action. The photo was later titled Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, and has since became the most copied photograph in history. The 2nd Battalion 28th Marines (2/28) is an inactive infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. ... The edge of Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is located in southern California between the towns of Oceanside and San Clemente. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see Iwo Jima (disambiguation). ... February 19 is the 50th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday. ... Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders Holland Smith Tadamichi Kuribayashi â€  Strength 110,000 22,000 Casualties 6,825 killed in action,[1] 1,401 died of wounds,[1] 19,189 wounded,[1] 494 missing[1] Total: 27,909 20,703 dead,[1] 216 captured[1] Total: 20,919 The... Iwo Jima (Japanese 硫黄島 Iōjima, meaning sulfur island) is a volcanic island in Japan, part of the Volcano Islands (also known as the Ogasawara Islands), approximately 650 miles (1046 km) south of Tokyo (24. ... Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, by Joe Rosenthal / The Associated Press. ...

By the end of March, three of the six men in the photograph had been killed in action, including Strank, never knowing the impact the photograph would have stateside. Another of the six, John Bradley, had been wounded in action and sent out of the battle zone. Temporary grave of an American machine-gunner during the Battle of Normandy. ... John Jack Doc Bradley (July 10, 1923 – January 11, 1994) was a US Navy corpsman during World War II, and one of the six men who took part in Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima. ...

Death

A photo colorized to show all six men - Ira Hayes (red), Franklin Sousley (violet), John Bradley (green), Harlon Block (yellow), Michael Strank (brown) and Rene Gagnon (teal)

After the fall of Mount Suribachi, he moved northward with his unit. Fighting was heavy, and both the Japanese and the American forces were taking heavy casualties. On 1 March, his squad came under heavy fire, and took cover. While forming a plan of attack, he was killed by artillery fire. It was most likely friendly fire from an offshore U.S Navy destroyer. Cpl Harlon Block, who looked up to Strank as all of his squad did, took over command, but also was killed just hours later. Mike Strank was buried in the 5th Marine Division Cemetery with the last rites of the Roman Catholic Church. On 13 January 1949, his remains were reinterred in Grave 7179, Section 12, Arlington National Cemetery. Michael Strank had two brothers, and one of them, Peter Strank, was serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Franklin in the South Pacific when Michael was killed. An off-color photo to show all six men - Ira Hayes (red), Franklin Sousley (violet), John Bradley (Green), Harlon Block (Yellow), Michael Strank (brown), Rene Gagnon (teal) Created by Raul654. ... An off-color photo to show all six men - Ira Hayes (red), Franklin Sousley (violet), John Bradley (Green), Harlon Block (Yellow), Michael Strank (brown), Rene Gagnon (teal) Created by Raul654. ... Ira Hamilton Hayes (January 12, 1923 – January 24, 1955) was a Akimel O’odham, or Pima Indian, and an enrolled member of the Gila River Indian Community. ... Franklin Runyan Sousley (September 19, 1925-March 21, 1945) was one of the six men in the famous photograph of Marines Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima. ... John Jack Doc Bradley (July 10, 1923 – January 11, 1994) was a US Navy corpsman during World War II, and one of the six men who took part in Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima. ... Harlon Block (November 6, 1924 - March 1, 1945) was a marine during World War II. He was photographed in Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima during the Battle of Iwo Jima. ... Rene Arthur Gagnon (March 7, 1925 – October 12, 1979) was one of the U.S. Marines immortalized by Joe Rosenthals famous World War II photograph Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima. ... The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church (see terminology below) is the Christian Church in full communion with the Bishop of Rome, currently Pope Benedict XVI. It traces its origins to the original Christian community founded by Jesus Christ and led by the Twelve Apostles, in particular Saint Peter. ... January 13 is the 13th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1949 calendar). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The fifth USS Franklin (CV-13) (also CVA-13, CVS-13, and AVT-8), nicknamed Big Ben, was an Essex-class aircraft carrier of the United States Navy, notable as the hardest-hit carrier to survive World War II. The actual kamikaze attacks on the ship are depicted in the... Pacific Ocean Areas was a major Allied military command during World War II. It was one of four major commands during the Pacific War, and one of two United States commands in the Pacific theatre of operations. ...

Legacy

On the DVD documentary "Heroes of Iwo Jima", and in the book "Flags of Our Fathers", Strank is described as bigger than life. Sgt Mike Strank's squad idolized him, and many men since who served along side him have stated he had a way of setting them at ease, making them feel that he could help them survive the war. Of the men photographed raising the flag on Iwo Jima, Strank was the oldest and most experienced in combat. In interviews conducted years later, many documented in the book "Flags of Our Fathers" written by James Bradley, he is described by men who served with him as "a Marine's Marine", a true warrior and leader, who led his men by example. He often told his men, "Follow me, and I'll try to bring you all safely home to your mothers". One former Marine who served with Strank stated "He was the kind of Marine you read about, the kind they make movies about". Another stated "He was the finest man I ever knew". Cpl Harlon Block idolized Strank, and followed his every instruction without question. L.B. Holly, who served in his squad and who was with him when he died, stated of Strank that "He was the best Marine I ever knew". DVD (commonly known as Digital Versatile Disc or Digital Video Disc) is an optical disc storage media format that can be used for data storage, including movies with high video and sound quality. ... James Bradley (late 20th century) is an American author. ...

Since he was killed in action, Strank never knew the impact of the photo taken on Iwo Jima. Of those who survived the battle who did see the impact, only one, John Bradley, lived to an old age (70). Bradley avoided the fame that being a flag raiser brought him throughout his lifetime, with his family only discovering he'd earned the Navy Cross on Iwo Jima after his death. Ira Hayes had numerous brushes with law enforcement, serious alcohol problems, and suffered greatly from shell shock, died in 1955 at the age of thirty-two. Rene Gagnon enjoyed the fame for a time, always believing it would eventually bring wealth, but in later life became uncomfortable with it, only taking part in celebrations of the event at the urging of his wife, who also craved the limelight. Gagnon died of a heart attack at fifty-four, in 1979, only days after complaining to his son that he felt there was "no escape" from his uncomfortable life and fame. The Navy Cross is the second highest medal that can be awarded by the Department of the Navy and the second highest award given for valor. ... For the band, see The Police. ... The military term combat stress reaction (CSR) comprises the range of adverse behaviours in reaction to the stress of combat and combat related activities. ... 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Acute myocardial infarction (AMI or MI), commonly known as a heart attack, is a disease state that occurs when the blood supply to a part of the heart is interrupted. ... For the song by the Smashing Pumpkins, see 1979 (song). ...

Awards and decorations

Sgt Strank's Awards and Decorations at the time of his death.

• Bronze Star w/ Valor Device
• Purple Heart (awarded posthumously),
• Presidential Unit Citation with one star (for Iwo Jima),
• American Defense Service Medal with base clasp (for his service in Cuba before the war),
• American Campaign Medal,
• Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four stars (for Pavuvu, Bougainville, Consolidation of the Northern Solomons, and Iwo Jima),
• World War II Victory Medal.

The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration and is the fourth highest award for bravery, heroism or meritorious service. ... For other meanings see Purple Heart (disambiguation). ... The Presidential Unit Citation is a senior unit award granted to military units which have performed an extremely meritorious or heroic act, usually in the face of an armed enemy. ... The American Defense Service Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created in 1941 by Executive Order of President Franklin Roosevelt. ... American Campaign Medal The American Campaign Medal was a decoration of the United States military which was first created in 1942 by order of President Franklin Roosevelt. ... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is a service decoration of the Second World War which was awarded to any member of the United States military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945. ... WWII Victory Medal The World War II Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created by an act of Congress in July 1945. ...

Monuments and memorials

• Third from rear in the USMC War Memorial.

The Marine Corps War Memorial is a military memorial statue located near the Arlington National Cemetery in Rosslyn, Virginia, United States. ...

Portrayal in film

Michael Strank is prominently featured in the 2006 Clint Eastwood movie Flags of Our Fathers, where he is played by actor Barry Pepper. Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ... Flags of Our Fathers is an Academy Award-nominated 2006 film directed by Clint Eastwood and written by William Broyles, Jr. ... Alex Robert Pepper (born April 4, 1970 in Campbell River, British Columbia) is a Canadian-born actor. ...

See also

• Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima
• Ira Hayes
• Franklin Sousley
• John Bradley
• Harlon Block
• Rene Gagnon

Image File history File links USMC_logo. ... Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, by Joe Rosenthal / The Associated Press. ... Ira Hamilton Hayes (January 12, 1923 – January 24, 1955) was a Akimel O’odham, or Pima Indian, and an enrolled member of the Gila River Indian Community. ... Franklin Runyan Sousley (September 19, 1925-March 21, 1945) was one of the six men in the famous photograph of Marines Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima. ... John Jack Doc Bradley (July 10, 1923 – January 11, 1994) was a US Navy corpsman during World War II, and one of the six men who took part in Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima. ... Harlon Block (November 6, 1924 - March 1, 1945) was a marine during World War II. He was photographed in Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima during the Battle of Iwo Jima. ... Rene Arthur Gagnon (March 7, 1925 – October 12, 1979) was one of the U.S. Marines immortalized by Joe Rosenthals famous World War II photograph Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima. ...

External links

• The Flag-raisers on Iwojima.com
• eFilmCritic.com interview with Barry Pepper on playing Michael Strank in "Flags of Our Fathers"