The New York Daily News ran this photograph on 17 April 1945.
Eli Plotnick was a kid from Queens, a son of Solomon and Anna Plotnick. The family business was wholesale neckwear, designed by Solomon and sold by the oldest boys, William and Murray, while Eli and Lillian attended school. Eli joined the Marine Corps at the age of eighteen; he went to Parris Island and New River, gained a PFC stripe, lost it, then gained it back. He fought in the battles of Roi-Namur and Saipan as a rifleman with Company C, 24th Marines, then got wounded while landing on Tinian. He returned to duty with new scars, a corporal’s stripes, and the job of squad leader. During a brief rest period on Iwo Jima, he pulled out his Ka-Bar and struck a pose for a Marine Corps photographer. The moment was captured, then passed, and the battle continued.
Five days later, the Daily News published a follow-up.
Eli Plotnik’s little niche in history ended seventy-four years ago today.
He is thought to be buried in the Baron Hirsch cemetery on Staten Island.
The parents went from ecstasy to the worst heartbreak parents can ever have. RIP
Such a wonderful story and yet so tragic. Thank you for sharing and may the Plotnick family find comfort in knowing their loved one was a hero.
My uncle Pfc James Marlow Morgan
, Co., B , 1st. Bat,, 24th Marine Div. was killed in action Feb. 1 1944 at Roi-Namur
He was 19 years old. Home town Anna, Texas
A tragic story and fine memorial posting.
Perhaps this comment comes many years too late but I have always wanted to know more about my uncle Eli’s service record and the circumstances of his death. Recent events within my family, have started me on a journey to find out more about my uncle Eli. These articles answer many of my questions but I’d like to dig even deeper into his story. My family never spoke much of Eli, his life pre-WWll, nor his death but, I always knew he was a hero. The only thing that I knew was that he was KIA on Iwo Jima and that my grandfather refused to accept his Purple Heart. In the early 1990s, my father, a WWII naval veteran himself made a request for Eli’s Purple Heart to be reissued to the family. I believe he did this to honor both Eli and my mother, Eli’s sister Lillian who is mentioned in the article. The request was granted and the honor was received. It is something I cherish to this day. To those who have previously replied, I thank you. To those who have lost loved ones in war, may God grant them a perfect rest, and to all veterans living or deceased, I offer my respect and gratitude for your service.