Weslaco in Hidalgo County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Cpl. Harlon Block, USMC

Photographed by James Hulse, April 21, 2023

1. Cpl. Harlon Block, USMC 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 2011 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16768.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is February 23, 1945.

Location. 26° 8.639′ N, 98° 0.14′ W. Marker is in Weslaco, Texas, in Hidalgo County. It can be reached from West 18th Street 0.1 miles west of South Border Avenue, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located in the central section of the Harlon Block Park near the entrance to the baseball fields. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1014 West 18th Street, Weslaco TX 78596, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas.

It is also in the American Borderlands

and in the South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Skaggs House (approx. 0.8 miles away); Weslaco City Cemetery (approx. one mile away); First Christian Church of Weslaco (approx. one mile away); Gibson Park (approx. one mile away); First Baptist Church of Weslaco (approx. 1.1 miles away); Texsun Corporation (approx. 1.1 miles away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 1.1 miles away); Weslaco City Hall (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Weslaco.

Also see . . . Harlon Block. Wikipedia

Harlon Henry Block (November 6, 1924 – March 1, 1945) was a United States Marine Corps corporal who was killed in action during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.

(Submitted on May 16, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The Cpl. Harlon Block, USMC Marker at the entrance to the baseball fields image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 21, 2023

2. The Cpl. Harlon Block, USMC Marker at the entrance to the baseball fields

The view of the Cpl. Harlon Block, USMC Marker from the parking lot image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 21, 2023

3. The view of the Cpl. Harlon Block, USMC Marker from the parking lot

Cpl. Harlon Block, USMC image. Click for full size.

Public Domain - United States Marine

4. Cpl. Harlon Block, USMC

Photograph of Flag Raising on Iwo Jima image. Click for full size.

Public Domain - Joe Rosenthal of the Associated Press, February 23, 1945

5. Photograph of Flag Raising on Iwo Jima

US Marine Harlon Block is located in front helping to hold and raise the flag into position on Mt. Suribachi.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 956 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 17, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.