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
Cpl. Harlon Block, USMC
The roadside stories worth pulling over for.
Cpl. Harlon Block, USMC is a historical marker in Weslaco, Hidalgo County, dedicated in 2011. It is one of 138 historical markers documented in Hidalgo County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 236 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 26.1440, -98.0023 near Weslaco. The nearest cataloged historic site is Skaggs House (historical marker), about 0.8 miles away. Others within a short drive include Weslaco City Cemetery, Weslaco City Cemetery, and First Christian Church of Weslaco.
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507016768. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
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