East Conemaugh in Cambria County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Sgt. Michael Strank

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, June 17, 2014

1. Sgt Michael Strank Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

A Marine, he was the oldest and highest ranking of the six men who took part in the famous raising of the U.S. flag on Iwo Jima, Feb. 23, 1945. This scene, photographed by Joe Rosenthal of the Associated Press, was later used in the Marine Corps War Memorial at Arlington. Born Nov. 10, 1919, in Czechoslovakia, Strank grew up in Franklin Borough. Killed in action March 1, 1945, he was reinterred 1949 in Arlington Cemetery.

Erected 1986 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 1, 1917.

Location. 40° 20.569′ N, 78° 53.048′ W. Marker is in East Conemaugh, Pennsylvania, in Cambria County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Pennsylvania Route 3029, on the right when traveling west on Main Street. Located at the Liberty VFD. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Johnstown PA 15909, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies.

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, June 17, 2014

2. Sgt Michael Strank Marker

Click or scan to see
this page online

St. John Cathedral (approx. 2 miles away); Sgt. John T. Boxler (approx. 2.1 miles away); Greater Johnstown Flood Victims (approx. 2.1 miles away); Johnstown Veterans and War Memorial (approx. 2.1 miles away); The Grand Army of the Republic Hall (approx. 2.1 miles away); Cambria Iron Company Office (approx. 2.2 miles away); Joseph Johns (approx. 2.2 miles away); Central Park (approx. 2.2 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. Arlington Cemetery article on Michael Strank. (Submitted on June 17, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
2. Michael Strank at FindAGrave.com. (Submitted on June 21, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
3. Sgt. Michael Strank Behind the Marker. ExplorePAHistory.com (Submitted on June 24, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Sgt Michael Strank image. Click for full size.

United States Marine Corps

3. Sgt Michael Strank

United States Marine Corps photo

Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joe Rosenthal, February 23, 1945

4. Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima

Pulitzer Prize winning photograph of the Marines raising the flag on Iwo Jima

Outlines and names of Marines raising the flag image. Click for full size.

Photographed By N/a

5. Outlines and names of Marines raising the flag

Local War Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, June 17, 2014

6. Local War Memorial

Next to the marker
Inscription

With eternal gratitude to all those who served our country "Lest We Forget" in memory of our fallen
SSG Michael P Bankovsky USA 1944-France CPL John J Grabowsky USA 1944-France CAPT Michael Herko Jr USA 1950-Korea PFC John C Jastrzebski USA 1944-Belgium SP4 Louis J Kelley USA 1969-S Vietnam YEO3C Charles Kuzmiak USA 1945-S Pacific 1LT John C Mastovich USA 1944-France PFC Peter Mraunac USA 1944-France PFC Edwin C Phillips USA 1944-Phillipines PFC George V Potts USA 1943-Aleutian Isl SGT Michael Strank USMC 1945-Iwo Jima Unknown Fallen 1868-1993
Presented and dedicated by the residents of Franklin Borough
August 17, 1993

Doughboy Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, June 17, 2014

7. Doughboy Statue

With flag holders representing conflicts and wars associated with the US.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 23, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 637 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on June 17, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.