Sergeant Michael Strank- US Marine Corps

The Strank family immigrated to America from Czechoslovakia when Michael was a child. However, he thrived in America, learning the language and was an outstanding student attending Franklin High School. He joined the Marines in 1939 and was part of the Marine raiders in the Bougainville campaign in 1943. During a leave at home, he admitted to his friends he did not believe he would survive the war.

Michael was a sergeant and an experienced leader of his squad at the time of the Marines’ assault on the island of Iwo Jima in February of 1944. He was one of the six Marines that raised the flag on Mt. Suribachi. A photo taken by Joe Rosenthal of the moment is now known as the most viewed photo in the history of the world. The raising of the flag was a tremendous boast to the morale of the Marines, which ultimately lead to taking control of this strategic island. Unfortunately, six days later Michael Strank was killed in action as the fighting continued to take control of the island.

The telegram received by Michael’s mother informing her of his death was overwhelming. He is remembered as a part of the Greatest Generation, an immigrant giving his life for his adopted country.

Michael is remembered for being part of the iconic picture of the flag raising on Mt. Suribachi, which continues to be the part of the great legacy of the US Marine Corps. There has been a documentary made on his life, “A Flag Still Waves.” Sgt. Michael Strank was inducted into the Cambria County Military Hall of Fame.