Michael Strank
| Michael Strank | |
|---|---|
Michael Strank, U.S. Marine Corps in 1939
|
|
| Born |
November 10, 1919 Jarabina, Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia) |
| Died | March 1, 1945 (aged 25) Iwo Jima, Japan † |
| Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Marine Corps
|
| Years of service | 1939–1945 |
| Rank |
 Sergeant
|
| Unit |
2nd Battalion, 28th Marines 5th Marine Division |
| Battles/wars |
World War II
|
| Awards |
Bronze Star with Combat "V" Purple Heart Medal Combat Action Ribbon |
World War II
Michael Strank (November 10, 1919 – March 1, 1945) was a United States Marine Corps sergeant who was killed in action during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. He is best known for being one of the six flag-raisers who helped raise the second U.S. flag atop Mount Suribachi on February 23, 1945 as shown in the iconic photograph Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima.
The Marine Corps War Memorial located in Arlington, Virginia, which was modeled after the flag-raising photograph, depicts bronze statues of each of the six Marine flag-raisers.
Michael Strank was born in Jarabina, Czechoslovakia (now in Slovakia). He was one of two sons and one daughter of Vasil Strank (later, in the United States, known as Charles Strank) and Marta Grófiková, natives of the village. Vasil Strank moved to Franklin Borough (near Johnstown, Pennsylvania, United States), found work in the coal mines for the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, and brought his family to Pennsylvania three years later, when he could pay for their voyage. Strank attended the public schools of Franklin Borough and graduated from Franklin Borough High School in 1937. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, served for 18 months, and afterwards became a Pennsylvania state highway laborer.
Strank enlisted in the Marine Corps at Pittsburgh for four years service on October 6, 1939. He was assigned to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in South Carolina. He completed recruit training in December and was transferred to Headquarters Company, Post Troop and then to Provisional Company W at Parris Island, on January 17, 1941. Private First Class Strank sailed for Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, arriving on January 23, 1941. He was reassigned to Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Brigade (on February 1, the 1st Marine Brigade was redesignated the 1st Marine Division). On April 8, now assigned to Company K, he returned to the United States and was sent back to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. He was promoted to corporal on April 23, 1941. In September, Strank moved with the 1st Marine Division to New River, North Carolina, which is where he was stationed when the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred.
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Wikipedia