Cpl. Harlon Block, USMC
Weslaco, Hidalgo County, Texas
Marker Inscription
During World War II, U.S. forces captured the small yet strategic Japanese-held Pacific Island of Iwo Jima. On Feb. 23, 1945, during combat, marine Harlon Block aided in laying telephone wire up an inert volcano. At the summit, Block and five others improvised a flagpole, attaching a flag visible to those on the island and outlying ships. In doing so, Block and his fellow servicemen became the subject of one of the most recognized photographic images of World War II, the U.S. flag raising on Mt. Suribachi. On Mar. 1, 1945, his squad leader was killed. Block took command, but was tragically killed hours later. His remains were repatriated in 1949 to his hometown of Weslaco and in 1995 to the Iwo Jima monument in Harlingen. 175 Years of Texas Independence * 1836 - 2011
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In February 1945, U.S. Marines fought to seize the small but strategic Pacific island of Iwo Jima, and Weslaco's own Corporal Harlon Block was among the six men who raised the American flag atop Mount Suribachi—an act frozen into one of the most famous photographs of World War II. Days later, after his squad leader was killed, Block took command but was himself killed within hours. His remains came home to Weslaco in 1949 and were later moved to the Iwo Jima monument in Harlingen.
Why it matters
It personalizes an iconic national image, reminding visitors that the flag-raisers were real young men—many of whom, like Block, did not survive the battle they came to symbolize.
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Related people
- · Harlon Block
Related events
- · Battle of Iwo Jima
- · flag raising on Mount Suribachi
Themes & tags
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