FOCUS ON PHILATELY: An Iwo Jima Ukrainian connection (06/04/00)

FOCUS ON PHILATELY

by Ingert Kuzych

An Iwo Jima Ukrainian connection

Almost all Americans are familiar with the image of the flag-raising on Iwo Jima: if they didn't encounter the picture in a book or magazine, they may have seen the John Wayne movie "The Sands of Iwo Jima" in which the event is recreated. Most Ukrainian Americans, however, do not realize that one of their own was among the group of men who helped raise that banner (Figure 1). This celebrated event has now been reproduced twice on U.S. stamps and so this individual is the only person of Ukrainian descent to be doubly honored by the United States Postal Service (USPS).

His name was Michael Strank (biography below) and he was one of six men who raised the American flag atop a rugged mountain on Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945, during the bitter battle against the Japanese for control of that Pacific Ocean island.

Background on the Iwo Jima Operation

Iwo Jima is an eight-square-mile island of sulfuric sand and volcanic ash situated some 700 miles south of Tokyo. The Japanese installed radar stations on the island along with two airstrips that enabled them to intercept U.S. planes on bombing runs to Japan.

Tokyo knew that the Allies were interested in taking the island and so they installed a strong garrison of 21,000 troops. The island was turned into a fortress with 1,500 pillboxes and blockhouses, trenches and hundreds of connecting tunnels. The main volcanic peak, Mount Suribachi, was also honeycombed with bunkers. The soldiers serving on the island knew it would be a fight to the death with no hope of rescue by the Japanese Imperial Fleet. They were prepared to make any attempt to take the island as costly as possible.

U.S. Marines landed on February 19, 1945, after three days of continuous naval bombardment. The summit of Mount Suribachi was taken four days later, but it took almost a month to completely occupy the remainder of the island. The first American flag raised on the heights was a small one and not easily visible. A larger ensign was found and its planting is what was captured on the famous photograph.

The battle for Iwo Jima turned out to be one of the bloodiest of in the Pacific theater. Some 6,800 U.S. Marines and sailors were killed and more than 18,000 wounded. Of the 21,000 Japanese, only 200 were taken prisoner, the remainder died fighting.

Commemorations

A photograph of the flag-raising was selected soon after as the official symbol of the Seventh War Loan Drive. The poster bearing this photo was acclaimed the greatest of the war and given the widest possible display. Vying closely in importance was the issuance on July 11, 1945, of a green, 3-cent commemorative postage stamp depicting the famous event (Figure 2). The stamp was the result of widespread popular demand, culminating in a resolution signed by 12 United States senators.

In 1946, by unanimous vote of Congress, a statue of the famous flag-raising was authorized. It was not until November 10, 1954, however, that the completed statue, officially named the Marine Corps War Memorial, was dedicated on a knoll at the north end of Arlington National Cemetery overlooking the Potomac River and Washington (Figure 3).

From 1991 to 1995 the USPS issued an annual commemorative sheetlet marking the 50th anniversary of events from World War II. Each of these five sheetlets depicted 10 significant occurrences and the one from 1995 included the capture of Iwo Jima (Figure 4). This 32-cent stamp, released on September 2, 1995, as well as all of the World War II commemorative series issues, were produced in a horizontal format and in full color.

A biography of Sgt. Michael Strank

Sgt. Michael Strank, though only 25, was the eldest and highest ranking of the six flag-raisers. He was also the only one of this renowned group in the regular Marine Corps. It is fitting indeed that he should have taken part in the famous flag-raising, for he was an ardent lover of America's emblem. When stationed at New River, N.C., with the 1st Marine Division, he would always make it a point to come to attention and salute the flag when it was being lowered for the day.

Michael Strank was born on November 10, 1919, to Vasil and Martha Strank, in Conemaugh, Pa. His parents were Ukrainian (Rusyn-Lemko) immigrants from the Priashiv (Presov) region of Czecho-Slovakia (now in eastern Slovakia). He attended the Franklin Borough, Pa., schools and graduated from high school in 1937. His favorite sports were football and basketball. Following graduation, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps at Adamana, Calif. After 18 months he returned to Pennsylvania and became a highway worker for the state.

On October 6, 1939, Strank signed up at Pittsburgh for a four-year enlistment with the regular Marine Corps. After completing his recruit training at Parris Island, S.C., he was transferred to Headquarters Company, Post Troops, at the same base, where he was promoted to private first class on July 15, 1940. A short time later, he was qualified as "marksman." On January 18, 1941, he sailed for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; he served there until April 8, when his company returned to the States. Arriving at Charleston, S.C., on April 11, the company proceeded to Parris Island. In September, the division moved to Camp Lejeune, one of the Marines' largest bases, in the vicinity of New River.

Pfc. Michael Strank was promoted to corporal on April 23, 1941, and on January 26, 1942, soon after the United States entered World War II, he was promoted again to the rank of sergeant and was made a platoon sergeant shortly thereafter. From early in April of 1942 to February of 1944, Strank served with various units in many areas of the Pacific. Although his four-year enlistment expired on October 5, 1943, he extended it the following day for two more years. On February 14, 1944, Sgt. Strank returned to the United States and received a 30-day furlough. Upon his return to Camp Elliott, San Diego, he was reassigned to Company "E," Second Batallion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division. After six months of hard training at Camp Pendleton, Calif., the company was transferred to Hilo, Hawaii, for further exercises including amphibious landings. In January of 1945, the company crossed the Pacific visiting several islands enroute, including the Marshalls and the Marianas.

On February 19, 1945, Sgt. Strank was a member of the invasion force that landed on Iwo Jima. After fighting for four days and nights with very little sleep on that sizzling, barren island, he, along with four other Marines and one of his company's corps men, raised the American flag on Mount Suribachi, the main stronghold of enemy artillery on the southern part of the island (Figure 5).

Following the memorable flag-raising event, Sgt. Strank continued in combat on the northernmost part of the island. On March 1, while fighting under heavy enemy fire, he was mortally wounded in the neck and chest by artillery fire. He was buried in Plot 3, Row 5, Grave 694 in the 5th Marine Division Cemetery, with the last rites of the Catholic Church. The famous Pennsylvania Marine had served 30 months overseas and was serving his third tour of foreign duty when death came.

Sgt. Strank earned the following medals and decorations: Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation with one star (for Iwo Jima), American Defense Service Medal with base clasp (for service in Cuba before the war), the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

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