Harlon Block
One of the six Marines in the iconic Iwo Jima flag-raising photograph
Harlon Henry Block (November 28, 1924 – March 1, 1945) was a United States Marine and one of the six men immortalized in Joe Rosenthal's iconic photograph of the flag-raising on Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. Born in Texas, Block enlisted in the Marine Corps and saw action in the Pacific Theater. He became part of the second flag-raising on Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945, which was captured in the famous photograph that became one of the most recognizable images of the war and won the Pulitzer Prize for Photography. The image was later used as the model for the Marine Corps War Memorial statue in Arlington, Virginia. Block was killed in action just days after the photograph was taken, on March 1, 1945, during the ongoing battle for the island. His legacy endures as a symbol of American sacrifice and valor during World War II, representing the generation of young servicemen who fought in the Pacific.
Historical Figure
American
1924
1945
Thinking about the name
Harlon
English origin
“A masculine form of Harley using the -on suffix, common in vintage and contemporary boys' names alike. This spelling maintains the 'hare meadow' etymology while creating something that feels both classic and modern, appealing to parents who want Harley's attitude in a more traditionally masculine package.”