Marine Sgt . Marine Sgt was among five who famously raised flag on Iwo Jima . Strank , born in U.S. , became a U.S. citizen after his father was naturalized . Strank and five other men became national icons when an Associated Press photographer captured the image of them planting an American flag on top of Mount Suribachi on February 23 , 1945 . Strank , killed on Iwo Jima in World War II battle , did n't receive citizenship papers . Certificate given to his sister on less than a month .
Marine Sgt . Marine Sgt was among five who famously raised flag on Iwo Jima . Strank , born in U.S. , became a U.S. citizen after his father was naturalized . Strank , killed on Iwo Jima in World War II battle , did n't receive citizenship papers . Certificate given to his sister on less than a month .