Michael Strank - Revision history

Donaldson: Add/expand Iwo Jima honoree profile (biography, Medal of Honor citation or flag-raising history)

2026-07-20T16:43:28Z

Add/expand Iwo Jima honoree profile (biography, Medal of Honor citation or flag-raising history)

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:43, 20 July 2026
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	\| image = [[File:Michael_Strank_04.jpeg\|250px]]		\| image = [[File:Michael_Strank_04.jpeg\|250px]]
	\| caption = Courtesy of Kathy Strank Kasper		\| caption = Courtesy of Kathy Strank Kasper
	\| birth_date =		\| birth_date = November 10, 1919
	\| birth_place =		\| birth_place = Jarabina, Czechoslovakia (present-day Slovakia)
	\| death_date =		\| death_date = March 1, 1945
	\| death_place =		\| death_place = Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands
	\| status = KIA		\| status = KIA
	\| allegiance = United States		\| allegiance = United States
	\| branch = United States Marine Corps		\| branch = United States Marine Corps
	\| serviceyears =		\| serviceyears = 1939–1945
	\| rank = Sergeant		\| rank = Sergeant
	~~\| servicenumber =~~		\| unit = Company E, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division
	\| unit = 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division
	~~\| commands =~~
	\| battles = Battle of Iwo Jima		\| battles = Battle of Iwo Jima
	\| awards =		\| awards = Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart
	~~\| relations =~~		\| laterwork =
	\| laterwork =
	}}		}}

			'''Michael Strank''' (born Mykhal Strenk; November 10, 1919 – March 1, 1945) was a United States Marine and one of the six men who raised the second U.S. flag atop [[Mount Suribachi]] during the [[Battle of Iwo Jima]] on February 23, 1945 — the moment captured in Joe Rosenthal's iconic photograph.

			A Rusyn-American born in what is now Slovakia, Strank emigrated with his family to Franklin Borough, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1939 and saw extensive Pacific combat, including Bougainville, before Iwo Jima, where he served as a squad leader in Company E, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines.

			== Flag raising on Mount Suribachi ==
			On February 23, 1945, Strank was ordered to take his squad up Mount Suribachi with a larger replacement flag. He directed the raising and was one of the six men — with Cpl. Harlon Block, PFC Ira Hayes, PFC Franklin Sousley, PFC Harold Schultz, and Cpl. Harold Keller — photographed hoisting the flagstaff. He was the oldest of the group and the squad's leader.

			== Legacy ==
			Strank was killed by an artillery shell — likely friendly fire — on March 1, 1945, the first of the flag raisers in the photograph to die. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

	== Legacy Presentation ==		== Legacy Presentation ==
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	File:Michael_Strank_06.jpeg\|		File:Michael_Strank_06.jpeg\|
	</gallery>		</gallery>

			[[Category:Mount Suribachi flag raisers]]
			[[Category:Battle of Iwo Jima]]

Maintenance script: Add infobox photo credit: courtesy of Kathy Strank Kasper

2026-06-26T13:56:59Z

Add infobox photo credit: courtesy of Kathy Strank Kasper

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:56, 26 June 2026
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	\| name = Michael Strank		\| name = Michael Strank
	\| image = [[File:Michael_Strank_04.jpeg\|250px]]		\| image = [[File:Michael_Strank_04.jpeg\|250px]]
	\| caption =		\| caption = Courtesy of Kathy Strank Kasper
	\| birth_date =		\| birth_date =
	\| birth_place =		\| birth_place =

Maintenance script: Set infobox image to best portrait of the veteran

2026-06-26T13:18:10Z

Set infobox image to best portrait of the veteran

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:18, 26 June 2026
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	{{Vet		{{Vet
	\| name = Michael Strank		\| name = Michael Strank
	\| image = [[File:~~Michael_Strank_01~~.jpeg\|250px]]		\| image = [[File:Michael_Strank_04.jpeg\|250px]]
	\| caption =		\| caption =
	\| birth_date =		\| birth_date =

Maintenance script: Restore status=KIA (preserved from prior revision after IJAA import)

2026-06-26T12:51:30Z

Restore status=KIA (preserved from prior revision after IJAA import)

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:51, 26 June 2026
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	\| death_date =		\| death_date =
	\| death_place =		\| death_place =
	\| status =		\| status = KIA
	\| allegiance = United States		\| allegiance = United States
	\| branch = United States Marine Corps		\| branch = United States Marine Corps
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	File:Michael_Strank_06.jpeg\|		File:Michael_Strank_06.jpeg\|
	</gallery>		</gallery>

imported>ImportScript: Imported from 81st Legacy Presentations Book

2026-06-25T00:00:00Z

Imported from 81st Legacy Presentations Book

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Vet
 | name = Michael Strank
-| rank = Sgt
+| image = [[File:Michael_Strank_01.jpeg|250px]]
-| status = KIA
+| caption =
 | branch = United States Marine Corps
-| unit = 28th Marines
+| serviceyears =
 }}

imported>ImportScript: Imported Vet records

2026-02-19T18:34:49Z

Imported Vet records

New page

{{Vet
| name = Michael Strank
| rank = Sgt
| status = KIA
| branch = United States Marine Corps
| unit = 28th Marines
}}