Harold G. Schrier
| Harold G. Schrier | |
|---|---|
| Born |
October 17, 1916 Corder, Missouri |
| Died | June 3, 1971 (aged 54) Bradenton, Florida |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1936-1957 |
| Rank |
Lieutenant Colonel 
|
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Navy Cross Silver Star Medal Legion of Merit w/ Combat "V" Bronze Star Medal w/ Combat "V" Purple Heart Medal Combat Action Ribbon (2) |
Harold George Schrier (October 17, 1916 – June 3, 1971) was a United States Marine Corps lieutenant colonel who served in World War II and the Korean War and received the Navy Cross, the nation's second highest military award for valor. He is best known for being the Marine officer who led a 40-man patrol to the top of Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima which raised the first United States flag on the summit, on February 23, 1945.
Schrier was born in Corder, Missouri, on 17 October 1916. He attended high school in Lexington, Missouri.
Harold Schrier enlisted in the Marine Corps on November 12, 1936. After recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California, he was sent to China as a US Embassy guard in Beijing. He also served in Tientsin and Shanghai. In August 1940, he became a drill instructor at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
In early 1942, Schrier joined the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion at Camp Elliott, San Diego, being promoted to platoon sergeant in April 1942. In June 1942, he was part of two 2nd Raider Battalion companies that were sent to Midway Island to bolster the garrison there. He participated in the Battle of Guadalcanal and found himself taking part in the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion's epic "Long Patrol" behind enemy lines from November to December 1942. During this action, he distinguished himself by leading part of his cut off company to safety after his company commander erroneously led them into a hostile situation. In early 1943, he was promoted to second lieutenant in the field. Subsequently, he was detached to other duties within the Raider organization, such as observation and reconnaissance on enemy-held islands before larger units made assault landings. He was awarded the Legion of Merit for his work at Vangunu Island during the New Georgia Campaign in June 1943. He also served at Bougainville in support of military actions there. In February 1944, he returned to the United States to become an infantry instructor at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
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