[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 38 (Wednesday, February 26, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E216-E217]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING OUR NATION'S HEROES ON THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN 
                        FLAG RAISING AT IWO JIMA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 26, 2020

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 75th 
Anniversary of the American flag raising at Iwo Jima and to express my 
gratitude to the courageous service

[[Page E217]]

members who fought and won this key battle, many laying down their 
lives in service to our nation. The Battle of Iwo Jima marked a 
decisive American victory and signaled the beginning of the end of the 
war in the Pacific.
   On February 19, 1945, the United States Marines Corps began the 
invasion of the heavily fortified island of Iwo Jima. The ensuing 
battle for the strategic island would be one of the fiercest conflicts 
of the Second World War. Before the Battle of Iwo Jima ended, almost 
7,000 American service members were killed, including three of the 
Marines that raised the American flag at Iwo Jima.
   One day into the Battle for Iwo Jima, four Marine squads began their 
assault on Mount Suribachi, the 550-foot-high peak overlooking the 
island. After a three-day onslaught, our troops reached the top and 
defeated the last remaining Japanese defenders. At 10:20 a.m. on 
February 23, 1945, the 3rd Platoon, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th 
Regiment, 5th Marine Division were the first group of Americans during 
World War II to raise the American flag on Japanese soil. This was a 
defining moment of the Second World War.
   Four hours after the first flag was raised, Corporal Harlon Block, 
Sergeant Michael Strank, Corporal Harold ``Pie'' Keller, Corporal Ira 
Hayes, Private First-Class Franklin Runyon Sousley, and Private First-
Class Harold Schultz defiantly raised a second, larger American flag 
atop the mountain. Corporal Block guided the base of the pole into the 
volcanic ash while the others raised the flag upward. The iconic 
photograph of the Marines raising our flag at Iwo Jima is a testament 
to American strength and sacrifice.
   I encourage my colleagues and all Americans to take a moment today 
to remember those who have sacrificed to protect our country and our 
way of life. We are all forever indebted to these brave service 
members, and on this day, we must reiterate our promise that we will 
never forget our nation's heroes.

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