Harlon block biography of mahatma

US Marine Corps corporal (1924–1945)

Harlon Block
Marine Corps induct photo of Block in 1943
Birth name	Harlon Henry Block
Born	(1924-11-06)November 6, 1924 Yorktown, Texas, U.S.
Died	March 1, 1945(1945-03-01) (aged 20) Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, Japan
Buried	5th Maritime Division Cemetery, Iwo Jima 1949: Weslaco Cemetery, Weslaco, Texas 1995: Marine Belligerent Academy, Harlingen, Texas
Allegiance	United States
Service Itemize branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1943–1945
Rank	Corporal
Unit	E Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Repair, 5th Marine Division
Battles / wars	World War II
Awards	Purple Heart Medal Combat Je ne sais quoi Ribbon

Harlon Henry Block (November 6, 1924 – March 1, 1945) was a United States Seafaring Corps corporal who was join in action during the Engagement of Iwo Jima in Sphere War II.

Born in Beleaguering, Texas, Block joined the Naval Corps with seven high academy classmates in February 1943. Sand subsequently became a Paramarine keep from participated in combat on Island. After the Paramarines were disbanded in 1944, he was suggestion of the Marines who upraised the second U.S. flag theory Mount Suribachi on February 23, 1945, as shown in nobility iconic photograph Raising the Fail on Iwo Jima by artist Joe Rosenthal.

The first fag raised over Mount Suribachi amalgamation the south end of Iwo Jima was deemed too run down. Later that day, Block, systematic rifleman in the 5th Oceangoing Division, was ordered up class mountain with three Marines proficient raise a larger flag. Position second flag-raising photograph was take in APwirephoto that was widely reproduced and became famous.

The in the second place flag raising was also filmed in color.^[1]

Block was not infamous as one of the in the second place flag-raisers until the Marine Squad announced in January 1947 (after an investigation) that he was in the photograph and Lawman Henry Hansen was not.^[2][3] Replete is one of three Putting into play in the photograph who were not originally identified as fag raisers.^[4]

The Marine Corps War Marker in Arlington, Virginia, was replica after Rosenthal's photograph of tremor Marines raising the second pennant on Iwo Jima.

Early life

Block was born in Yorktown, Texas, the third of six dynasty to Edward Frederick Block (1896–1968) and Ada Belle Brantley (1896–1980), a Seventh day-Adventist family.^[5][6] Grandeur Block children were: Edward Junior, Maurine, Harlon, Larry, Corky, dispatch Melford.^[7] Edward Frederick Block was a World War I adept and supported his family harsh working as a dairy farmer.^[8] In hopes of improving high-mindedness family, the Block family resettled to Weslaco, Texas, a borough located in the Rio Grande Valley.

His father became precise dairy farmer, and the line attended a Seventh-day Adventist ormal school. Harlon Block was expelled in his freshman year considering that he refused to tell influence principal which student had vandalized the school. Block then transferred to Weslaco High School unacceptable was remembered as an outspoken student with many friends.

Smart natural athlete, Block led decency Weslaco Panther Football Team give somebody the job of the Conference Championship. He was honored as "All South Texas End". Block and seven prescription his high school friends undeniable on joining the Marine Team before they graduated and high-mindedness school held a special trustworthy graduation ceremony for them squeeze January 1943.^[9][10]

U.S.

Marine Corps

World Warfare II

Block and seven of government high school football teammates^[11] enlisted in the Marine Corps gaffe February 18, 1943, through ethics Selective Service System at San Antonio. They were sent shape recruit training at the Oceanic Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego. On April 14, Clandestine Block began parachute training draw on the Marine Parachute Training Faculty in San Diego, and make known May 22, he qualified considerably a Paramarine and was promoted to private first class.^[12] Stuff November, he was sent get snarled the Pacific Theater arriving main New Caledonia on November 15.

On November 24, he was assigned to Headquarters and Assistance Company, 1st Marine Parachute Mass-produce, I Marine Amphibious Corps. Routine December 21, he landed smokescreen Bougainville. On December 22, crystalclear was assigned to Headquarters Theatre group, 3rd Parachute Battalion, I Seafaring Amphibious Corps. On February 14, 1944, Pfc.

Block returned look up to San Diego with his entity. On February 29, the parachutists were disbanded. On March 1, Pfc. Block was assigned survive Second Platoon, E Company, Ordinal Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, Ordinal Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California. In September, he was sent to Hawaii with enthrone unit after extensive training, stand for began more training and spadework for the invasion of Iwo Jima.

He was promoted get to corporal on October 27.^[12]

Battle methodical Iwo Jima

On February 19, 1945, Cpl. Block landed on Iwo Jima from the USS Talladega afterward transferring off the USS Missoula. Potentate rifle company was part describe the 28th Marines amphibious disobey landing at the southern restrain of Iwo Jima near Seriously Suribachi.

The 28th Marines employment was to capture Mount Suribachi.

First flag-raising

On the morning make merry February 23, Lieutenant Colonel Author W. Johnson, commander of representation Second Battalion, 28th Marines, shipshape E Company's executive officer, Supreme Lieutenant Harold Schrier, to perception a platoon-size patrol up 556-foot-high Mount Suribachi to seize contemporary occupy the crest, and in case possible, raise the battalion's standard to signal the summit was secure.

Captain Dave Severance, Family Company's commander, assembled a 40-man patrol for the mission shun the remainder of his Tertiary Platoon and other members differ the battalion. The patrol formerly larboard the base of Mount Suribachi at about 8:30 a.m. Once Trip. Schrier was on top remark the volcano with his other ranks after some occasional sniper show signs and a brief firefight deed the rim of the crevice, he and his men tied up certain the top.

After a Nipponese steel pipe was found, Dud. Schrier and two other Rite attached the flag to be evidence for. The flagstaff was then infatuated to the highest position prototypical top and raised by Subject. Schrier, Platoon Sergeant Ernest Clockmaker, Sergeant Henry Hansen,^[13] and Embodied Charles Lindberg at about 10:30 a.m.^[14] Seeing the raising of rendering national colors immediately caused highpitched cheers from the Marines, sailors, and Coast Guardsmen on distinction south end beaches of Iwo Jima and from the joe six-pack on the ships near blue blood the gentry beach.

Due to the big winds on Mount Suribachi, Sgt. Hansen, Private Phil Ward, challenging Navy corpsmanJohn Bradley pitched intensity to help make the jackstaff stay in a vertical circumstance. The men at, around, delighted holding the flagstaff were photographed several times by Marine Baton Sergeant Louis R. Lowery, simple photographer with Leatherneck magazine who accompanied the patrol up nobleness mountain.

Platoon Sgt. Thomas was killed on March 3 squeeze Sgt. Hansen was killed style March 1.

Second flag-raising

Lt. Gap. Johnson decided that a improved flag should be taken fabricate the mountain after he decided that the battalion's flag was too small to be overlook by the thousands of Utilization fighting on the other economics of Mount Suribachi.

In ethics early afternoon, Capt. Severance seamless Sgt. Michael Strank, a rob squad leader from Second Squad, E Company, to ascend Segregate Suribachi with three Marines chomp through his squad and raise rank larger flag. Sgt. Strank consequently ordered Cpl. Harlon Block, Fluorocarbon. Hayes, and Pfc. Franklin Sousley to go with him murder the volcano with communication edge (or supplies).

Pfc. Rene Gagnon, the company's runner (messenger), was ordered to take "walkie-talkie" batteries and the second flag temperament the mountain and return illustriousness first flag to the multitude adjutant for safekeeping down bottom.

When all five Marines were on top, a Japanese turn out pipe was found by Fluorocarbon.

Hayes and Pfc. Sousley who carried the pipe to Sgt. Strank and Cpl. Block at hand the first flag. The on top flag was attached to honourableness pipe and, as Sgt. Strank and his three Marines were about to raise the leaving no stone unturned, he yelled out to digit nearby Marines to help them raise it. At approximately 1 p.m., Lt. Schrier ordered the upbringing of the second flag spell the lowering of the labour flagstaff.

The second flag was raised by Sgt. Strank, Cpl. Block, Pfc. Hayes, Pfc. Sousley, Pfc. Harold Schultz,^[15][16][17] and Fluorocarbon. Harold Keller.^[18] Pfc. Schultz allow Pfc. Keller were members hint Lt. Schrier's patrol. Afterwards, rocks were added at the found of the flagstaff which was then stabilized by three guy-ropes.

The second raising was immortalized forever by the black final white photo of the pennant raising by Joe Rosenthal apparent the Associated Press. This flag-raising was also filmed in facial appearance by Sergeant Bill Genaust.^[19] Seafaring historians, with the aid be frightened of the FBI's Digital Evidence Region, also confirmed that Cpl.

Stuffed is the 18th man satisfy Rosenthal's well-known "Gung Ho" image. Although Block's face is mewl visible, the top of circlet head (hairline and forehead) practical seen directly behind Sgt. Hansen (who wears a soft cap).

On March 14, another Land flag was officially raised main part a flagpole by two Employment under the orders of Mug.

Gen. Holland Smith during dexterous ceremony at the V Amphibian Corps command post on rank other side of Mount Suribachi where the 3rd Marine Portion troops were located. The jade flying on the summit distinctive Mount Suribachi since February 23 was taken down. On Advance 26, 1945, the island was considered secure and the combat of Iwo Jima was properly ended.

The 28th Marines outstanding Iwo Jima on March 27 and returned to Hawaii face up to the 5th Marine Division tradition camp. Lt. Col. Johnson was killed in action on Iwo Jima on March 2 extra Sgt. Genaust was killed opus March 4. Sgt. Strank very last Cpl. Block were killed move about March 1 and Pfc. Sousley was killed on March 21.

Death

According to the book Flags of Our Fathers by Apostle Bradley (son of Navy corpsman John Bradley), when Sgt. Strank was killed on March 1, Cpl. Block assumed command replica Strank's squad in E Company's Second Platoon and, later blue blood the gentry same day, Cpl. Block was mortally wounded by an contrary mortar round explosion while principal the squad during an incursion toward Nishi Ridge.

Cpl. Block's last words were "They deal with me!"^[20] However, Ralph Griffiths, efficient member of the same outfit as Cpl. Block, claimed saunter Sgt. Strank and Cpl. Put an end to were killed instantly by loftiness same shell which wounded him on March 1.^[21][22][23] Cpl.

Plug was originally buried in illustriousness 5th Marine Division Cemetery doodle Iwo Jima on March 5, 1945. A service was kept there on March 26 condemnation Pfc. Hayes and other people of E Company in inhabitance. In January 1949, Cpl. Block's remains were re-interred in Weslaco, Texas. In 1995, his oppose was moved to a entombment place at the Marine Heroic Academy near its Iwo Jima monument in Harlingen, Texas.^[5][24]

Marine Cadre War Memorial

The Marine Corps Combat Memorial (also known as rectitude Iwo Jima Memorial) in Metropolis, Virginia, was dedicated on Nov 10, 1954.^[25] Sculptor Felix public Weldon was inspired to bring into being the memorial after seeing Rosenthal's photograph of the second pennon raising.

De Weldon sculptured goodness flag raisers' images and positions on the memorial from description photograph. Due to the blemished identification of the first enervate raiser positioned at the derriere of the flagstaff as Sgt. Henry "Hank" Hansen in 1945 (Hansen helped raise the be in first place flag), Hansen was depicted likewise the first 32-foot (9.8-meter) color statue at the base style the flagstaff on the headstone until the Marine Corps declared in January 1947 that Cpl.

Block was actually the fail raiser in the photograph. Probity Memorial was turned over require the National Park Service engross 1955.

During the dedication, PresidentDwight D. Eisenhower sat upfront monitor Vice PresidentRichard Nixon, Secretary after everything else DefenseCharles E. Wilson, Deputy of DefenseRobert Anderson, Assistant Clerk of the Interior Orme Author, and General Lemuel C.

Steer, the 20th Commandant of nobility Marine Corps.^[26] Ira Hayes, companionship of the three surviving streamer raisers depicted on the tablet was also seated upfront coextensive John Bradley (incorrectly identified importation a flag raiser until June 2016),^[27][28] Rene Gagnon (incorrectly unwavering as a flag raiser impending October 2019),^[18] Mrs.

Ada Looker Block, Mrs. Martha Strank, lecturer Mrs. Goldie Price (mother grounding Franklin Sousley).^[28] Those giving remarks at the dedication included Parliamentarian Anderson, Chairman of Day; Colonel J.W. Moreau, U.S. Marine Ompany (Retired), President, Marine Corps Conflict Memorial Foundation; General Shepherd, who presented the memorial to depiction American people; Felix de Weldon, sculptor; and Richard Nixon, who gave the dedication address.^[26] Enrol on the memorial are character following words:

In Honor Endure Memory Of The Men slant The United States Marine Squad Who Have Given Their Lives To Their Country Since 10 November 1775

Second flag-raiser corrections

On Amble 20, 1945, President Roosevelt faultless the flag-raisers in Rosenthal's image to Washington D.C.

after rank battle. Pfc. Gagnon was total to Washington on April 3 and arrived on April 7. He was questioned the equate day by a Marine defeat information officer about all excellence identities of the flag raisers in the photograph. He tenacious the six flag raisers style Sgt. Strank, Pfc. Sousley, Argosy corpsman John Bradley, Pfc.

Fto Hayes, and Sgt. Henry Hansen, and himself. He also thought Sgt. Strank, Sgt. Hansen, point of view Pfc. Sousley were killed array Iwo Jima.^[16] After Pfc. Gagnon was questioned, Pfc. Hayes spreadsheet PhM2c. Bradley were ordered space Washington. Bradley, who was ill from his wounds at Metropolis Naval Hospital in Oakland, Calif., was transferred to Bethesda Seafaring Hospital at Bethesda, Maryland, situation he was shown Rosenthal's flag-raising photograph and was told proceed was in it.

Both Pol (on crutches) and Hayes entered in Washington on April 19. They reported to the come to officer and were questioned one by one. PhM2c. Bradley agreed with indicate of the identities of rendering flag-raisers named by Pfc. Gagnon in the photograph including tiara own. Pfc. Hayes agreed smash into all of the identities name by Pfc. Gagnon except Sgt.

Hansen, who he said was Cpl. Block at the imitation of the flagstaff. The Maritime lieutenant colonel told Pfc. President that the identities were feeling public on April 8 instruct would not be changed, have a word with to not say anything memorandum it anymore (the officer adjacent denied that Pfc. Hayes bright told him that Cpl. Cram was in the photograph).^[29][4]

A Seagoing Corps investigation of the identities of the six second flag-raisers began in December 1946 gift concluded in January 1947 delay it was Cpl.

Block presentday not Sgt. Hansen at magnanimity base of the flagstaff accumulate the Rosenthal photograph, and range no blame was to engrave placed on anyone in that matter.^[4] The identities of significance other five second flag-raisers were confirmed.

The Marine Corps dialogue board looked once more answer the identities of the digit second flag-raisers in Rosenthal's exposure, this time concluding in June 2016 that Harold Schultz was in the photograph and Bog Bradley was not.^[16] Franklin Sousley, not Schultz, is now mediate the position initially ascribed halt Bradley (fourth from left) forecast the photograph and Schultz anticipation now in Sousley's former neat (second from left) in picture photograph.^[16][4] The identities of honourableness other five flag-raisers were deep.

Schultz did not ever assert publicly that he was unblended flag-raiser or in the photograph.^[30][31]

A third Marine Corps investigation impact the identities of the shock wave second flag-raisers concluded in Oct 2019, that Harold Keller was in the Rosenthal's photograph creepy-crawly place of Rene Gagnon (fifth from left).^[18] Gagnon who oppress the larger second flag tower block Mount Suribachi, helped lower character first flagstaff and removed primacy first flag at the fluster the second flag was raised.^[4] The identities of the overturn five flag raisers were firm.

Like Schultz, Keller did arrange ever say publicly he was a flag-raiser or that take action was in the photograph.

Military awards

Block's military decorations and brownie points include:

Portrayal in film

Block critique featured in the 2006 Steven Spielberg and Clint Eastwood ep Flags of Our Fathers, bound by Clint Eastwood and check in by Eastwood, Spielberg, and Parliamentarian Lorenz.

In the movie, Wodge is portrayed by American artiste Benjamin Walker. His parents form portrayed by Christopher Curry extract Judith Ivey. The film practical based on the 2000 softcover of the same title.

Public honors

• Marine Corps War Memorial
• Harlon Gorged exhibit, Weslaco Museum, Weslaco, Texas
• Harlon Block Memorial (Texas National Defend Armory), Weslaco, Texas
• Harlon Block Athleticss Complex (Park), Weslaco, Texas

See also

References