Walcsak fought in the 36-day battle at Iwo Jima that lasted from February 19 to March 26, 1945. It was a battle for the Pacific's most crucial island during World War II-an island riddled with Japanese tunnels and 27,000 fanatic defenders. The Marines 28th Easy Company stormed the beach and eventually made it to the top of the island.

"If a man does his best, what else is there?" - General George Patton Jr.

Iwo Jima was strategically situated and contained three airstrips that the Japanese had been using for their attacks. This made the island a crucial point for the U.S. troops' invasion and capture of the Japan mainland. During the battle, on March 9, 1945, Walcsak was wounded in the chest, neck, and back as his patrol moved inland in an effort to capture the island. He later received a Purple Heart.

Walcsak's place in history was more noted when he and his fellow Marines posed for the second flag raising photo for the Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal on Mount Suribachi. This was a group picture, which later became known as the "Gung Ho" photo. The picture was featured in the New York Times bestseller "Flags of Our Fathers" by James Bradley.

Franck Walcsak holding a plaque with the famous Iwo Jima photos and members of his Marine unit, 28th Easy Company.

Walcsak once said he believed the group photo-the "Gung Ho" picture-was the more memorable shot because it included all 18 members of the patrol who were present.

Walcsak was born in Elizabeth, N.J., and resided in Travis, Staten Island, N.Y., before moving to Manalpan, N.J., 30 years ago. He worked for the U.S. Customs Service for 23 years and retired as a senior Customs inspector at the Elizabeth, N.J. port of entry.