News:
Now in the library; "Genealogy of the Cooke and Cook family". New under the Moments in Time section: my "I Love Me Wall". (purely self-indulgent, I know.)
honoring our relatives that have served this country. This list is "in progress" and by no means comlete. If you feel we've overlooked someone please contact us using the "Suggest" tab on the top of their page.
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Block joined the Marine Corps in February 1943. He became a Paramarine and participated in combat on Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea. The Paramarines were disbanded in 1944. He was then assigned to the 5th Marine Division and, was with them at the Battle of Iwo Jima.
On February 23, 1945 a platoon size patrol took Mount Suribachi and raised the battalion's flag as a signal the summit was secure.
Lieutenant Colonel Chandler W. Johnson decided that a larger flag should be taken up the mountain because the battalion's flag was too small to be seen.
Sergeant Michael Strank and three Marines were ordered to accomplish that task. Strank subsequently ordered three other Marines including Corporal Block to accompany them. No photos were taken of the first flag raising. When the second one went up Joe Rosenthal of the Associated Press took what became one of the most iconic photographs of World War II. Block was not immediately recognized as one of the second flag-raisers. In January 1947 a Marine Corps investigation determined that he was in the photograph and another man had mistakenly been identified as one of the flag raisers.
Sergeant Strank was killed on March 1, 1945. Corpral Block assumed command of Strank's squad, later the same day, Corporal Block was mortally wounded by an enemy mortar round explosion while leading the squad during an attack.
He tried to re-enlist in WWII, but was rejected because of his age. He then volunteered both himself and his Yacht "Santana" for U.S. Coast Guard duty and patrolled the California coast.
Later, he was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, 11th District, California. He did public service announcements for the Coast Guard. Because of his support, he was made an honorary commodore in the Auxiliary.
A private in Captain Amasa Cranston's Company, Colonel Samuel Dennis' Regiment for a month in 1779. In 1780 he was in the Continental Army and discharged 13 Jan 1781.
He was a Lieutenant on the Sudbury muster roll of 1775; he marched on the Lexington alarm from Sudbury to Cambridge. He. was in Captain in. A. Wheeler's Company, Colonel. E. Howe's regiment, as 2d Lieutenant, commissioned 5 July, 1776; also, enlisted 20 Oct., 1779, as 2nd Lieutenant, in Captain. A. Cranston's Company., Colonel. Denny's regiment.
He enlisted 25 Nov 1863 for three years. On 4 Jan 1864 he mustered into the 57th Regiment Company B Massachusetts Volunteers. He was wounded in left arm at the battle of Spottsylvania Virginia on 1 May 1864, and was discharged at Washington D.C, 10 Jun 1865, on account of disability caused by wound.
He entered the Union Army in the fall of 1862 as a Corporal in the 39th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. In September 1863 he took an examination and was commissioned lieutenant in the 4th Regiment Infantry U. S. Colored Troops. His first service was in Maryland and northern Virginia. After joining the Colored Regiments he served under General B. F. Butler on the Virginia Peninsula. He was hospitalized for a short time late in 1863, owing to a leg wound received when one of his soldiers accidentally discharged a musket. He was mortally wounded on June 15, 1864 in the attack on the Confederate lines near Petersburg.
Enlisted on the eve of the firing on Fort Sumter, as Corporal, Co. B, 13th Mass Vols Wounded at Antietam and discharged. Re-enlisted as 1st Lieutenant Co C, 3d Mass Heavy Artillery, 1863 A.A.Q.M. 3d Brigade Hardin's Div, 22d A.C. from Apr to Oct, 1864. Captain, Co C, 3d Mass. Art., Oct., 1864; Judge Advocate Gen, Court Martial in Fort Stevens, D.C, Jun and Jul, 1865 commanded Fort Mahan, D.C, fall to spring, 1864-65 mustered out, Oct, 1865 retired, disabled by wounds.
He served in the 57th Massachusetts Volunteers under Captain Lawrence. He was on picket duty when he was killed During the attack on Fort Steadman Virginia.
In 1775, he marched on the Lexington Alarm, and as a sergeant in 1777, the town voted him £18 for volunteer service. He was assessor in 1778; selectman in 1788 and '89.
He was a private in Captain Edmund Brigham's Company of Minute-men,Major General Ward's regiment, which marched on the alarm of April 19 1775. He was in Captain Todd's Company, Colonel Craft's Regiment of Artillery, from North Brookfield, from February 1 to May 8, 1776.
Enlisted 18 December 1840 for service in the Seminole Wars. He died in service at Fort Brooke, Florida. (now present day Tampa) Cause of death was listed as "neuralgia".
