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Franklin was born
Franklin Sousley was born on September 15, 1945 in Hill Top, Kentucky to Merle Sousley and Goldie Sousley. -
Sousley's Brother Dies
On May 30, 1928, Franklin's oldest brother dies at age 5 from apendicitis. -
Sousley's Father's Death
Sousley's father dies at age 35 from complications with diabetes one year after the youngest Sousley is a born (Julian). This makes Franklin the father figure in this family. -
High School Graduation
In June of 1943, Franklin graduated high school. After graduation, he moved to Dayton, Ohio where he began working for Gerneral Motors on refrigerators. -
Marine Corps Reserve
Franklin joins the Marine Corps Reserve through the Selective Service System and is sent to San Diego for training. Once completed, Franklin was assigned to the "Company E, 2d Battalion, 28th Marines of the 5th Marine Division". -
Joining the Company
Franklin joined the company on March 15, 1944 and specialized as an automatic rifleman. -
Letters to Home
Frankling wrote a letter to his mother from training camp. This is an excerpt from that letter: “Mother, you said you were sick. I want you to stay in out of that field and look real pretty when I come home. You can grow a crop of tobacco every summer, but I sure as hell can’t grow another mother like you.” -
Promoted
Franklin sailed from San Diego to Hilo, Hawaii with his company where he was promoted to private first class at only 19 years old. -
Setting Sail
Sousley set sail with his company for Iwa Jima and prepared for D-Day. They landed on the beach on February 19. Sousley survived the Battle of Suribachi and moved forward with his reigment. -
Iwa Jima Begins
The battle of Iwa Jima begins on February 19, 1945 and lasts until March 26, 1945. The 30+ day battle resulted in more than 6,000 American casualties. This was the only battle where American casualties out numbered Japanese.Three of the six flag raisers did not make it out of Iwa Jima alive. -
Letters from Iwa Jima
Franklin was good about writting to his mother. He wrote another letter from Iwa Jima that included this excerpt: “My regiment took the hill with our company on the front line. The hill was hard, and I sure never expected war to be like it was those first 4 days. Mother, you can never imagine how a battlefield looks. It sure looks horrible. Look for my picture because I helped put up the flag. Please don’t worry and write.” -
Franklin's Death
Franklin Sousley died at the age of 19 while fighting at Kitano Point. He was the last member of the 6 men who raised the flag to die on Iwa JIma. When Franklin's mother heard of his death it is said that "You could hear her screaming clear across the fields at the neighbor’s farm." -
