Original Iwo Jima Flag Raiser Louis Charles Charlo to be Honored with Memorial Highway
My great uncle Marine Pfc. Louis Charles Charlo was one of the original flag raisers at Iwo Jima on February 23rd, 1945. He was gunned down just days later at the age of 18 while carrying a buddy who had been shot. They were both killed.
As you may know, there were two flags raised at Mount Suribachi. The first raising can be seen in a picture taken by photographer Louis Lowery - the second raising, which was ordered later that day to replace the small American flag with a larger one, is the iconic shot that photographer Joe Rosenthal snapped. This is addressed in the book "Flags Of Our Fathers," which also became a movie in 2006. A great-grandson of Chief Charlo, Louis Charles Charlo can be seen in the first photo taken.
The Louis Charles Charlo Memorial Highway will be dedicated on his birthday, tomorrow, September 26th, from 10 a.m. to noon. Signs will mark the area between mile markers 7 & 9, in front of the land where Charles grew up.
According to the Facebook event page, the dedication will happen near the sign placement in Evaro.
The exact location will be alongside the northbound lanes of Highway 93, approximately 200 yards south the Buck Snort Restaurant along Hwy 93. Parking should be available for about 25 cars back from the shoulder in the short grass along northbound lanes of Highway 93. Attendees may park at the Buck Snort Restaurant if they choose (16995 US Highway 93 N). A color guard, Tribal leaders and members of Charlo’s family will be attending.