Charlo, Louis Charles, born 26-09-1926 in Missoula, Montana.

The Charlo family had been leaders of the Salish tribe, to which the Peigan tribe of southern Alberta is related.- Prior to 1870 the South Peigan tribe lived in Montana and fled to Canada (southern Alberta) during the “Indian Wars”- Charlo was the son of Entonine Charlo, living near Evaro, Montana. Entonine Charlo was a son of Chief Martin Charlo, last of the fighting Salish chiefs.

his mother was Mary Gertrude, born Mitchell, Carlo (1899-1971)
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Louis was a United States Marine Corps Private. One of the six Marines who raised the first American flag on Mount Surabachi on Iwo Jima, on 23-02-1945. This flag was later replaced by the flag in the famous flag raising photograph taken by Joe Rosenthal of the Associated Press. Rosenthal died very old age of 94, on 20-08-2006. The six men were Corporal
Harlon Block, Private
Rene Gagnon, Private
Ira Hayes, Private Franklin Sousley

Private Sousley, age 19, was killed in action by a Japanese sniper 31 days after he landed on the island of Iwo Jima. Iwo Jima, one of the Japanese home islands, witnessed some of the fiercest fighting in the Pacific campaign. When the battle began on February 19, 1945, 22,000 Japanese occupied the island. At its end, thirty-five days later, the only known Japanese survivors were 216 prisoners of war. But the Americans paid dearly for their victory, suffering more than 26,000 casualties including 6,800 dead.
Shot in the back, he at first appeared annoyed but then collapsed as other marines hit the ground; when a marine asked how he was doing, he replied “Not bad, I don’t feel anything.” Seconds later, he was dead. Further Sergeant
Mike Strank and US Navy Corpsman
John Bradley.

At 8:00 a.m. on 23-02-1945, six Marines were led up the mountain by Lieutenant Harold Schrier

Harold was a Lieutenant in US Army invading Iwo Jima during World War Two. They raised the flag that became a world wide event and photograph. When he received his first Army paycheck, it came without one “e” and he needed the money, so it stayed that way. “Schrier”. Harold Schrier died age 54, on 03-06-1971 in Florida. By 10:20 a.m. they had raised the colours of the United States of America. Charlo was a member of this first group of Marines. There have been accounts which say Charlo was not a part of the raising of the flag, that he was a part of the reconnaissance mission which secured the Mount Suribachi. Much documentation exists to support both sides of the debate. He was 18 years old. It is important that he was the direct descendant of Chief Charlo of the Salish Indian Nation

. The very same tribe which gave safe passage to Lewis and Clark, as they made their way through Montana, crossing hostile territory, as they sought to forge a passage to the Pacific Ocean. It is important to us that his sister and brother are still alive, and have graciously given their blessing for his photo to grace our Wall of Diversity. We know without doubt or hesitation that Charlo was on Mount Suribachi that historic day of 23-02-1945. We know he is famous in more ways than one for his historic role in the raising of the colours on Iwo Jima. Most importantly we know he is a Veteran.
A new sign at mile marker 7 on U.S. Highway 93 North indicates the next two miles are dedicated to Louis Charles Charlo, hero of Iwo Jima.
Death and burial ground of Charlo, Louis Charles.
Private Louis Charles Charlo, was killed in action on 02-03-1945 age 28, and is buried on the Saint Ignatius Catholic Cemetery, Lake County, Montana.
Louis Charlo with radio.
Message(s), tips or interesting graves for the webmaster: robhopmans@outlook.com
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