Louis C Charlo
| Louis C. Charlo | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 26, 1926 Montana |
| Died | March 2, 1945 Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands |
| Status | KIA |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | |
| Rank | Private First Class |
| Service number | |
| Unit | 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division |
| Commands held | |
| Battles / wars | Battle of Iwo Jima |
| Awards | Purple Heart |
| Relations | |
| Later work | |
Louis Charles Charlo (September 26, 1926 – March 2, 1945) was a Native American United States Marine who served with the 28th Marines during the Battle of Iwo Jima and took part in the patrol activity on Mount Suribachi around the time of the first flag raising on February 23, 1945.
Charlo was a member of the Bitterroot Salish people of Montana and a descendant of the noted Salish chief Charlo.
Mount Suribachi
[edit]Charlo was part of the 28th Marines' operations on Mount Suribachi in the days surrounding the first flag raising. Accounts of his exact role vary: some place him among the patrol that helped secure and bring up the first flag, while others describe him as part of the reconnaissance that secured the summit rather than among the flag raisers themselves. His precise role remains a matter of historical discussion.
Legacy
[edit]Charlo was killed on or about March 2, 1945, while attempting to carry a wounded fellow Marine to safety in the fiercely contested battlefield sector known as the "Meat Grinder." He was 18 years old.