Tau Kappa Epsilon - Iowa State University

TA U K A P PA E P S I L O N E P S I L O N C H A P T E R I O W A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y S P R I N G 2 0 2 4 THE CHIMES M ost Americans are familiar with Joe Rosenthal's iconic World War II photograph, "Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima." This famous photo depicts the six Marines from E Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Division raising the American flag during the battle of Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945. Over 20,000 Americans and 20,000 Japanese died in the Mariana Islands during this campaign. The following day, February 24, 1945, Master Sergeant Millard R. Kratochvil, who was already on Iwo Jima, typed a letter to his parents, Harold and Louise, who lived in Des Moines, Iowa, giving them a daily update. You see, Spike wrote to his parents every day during the war*. In his typed letter home, Spike revealed as much as he could about the fighting and the battle and still had the letter pass the military censors. In his letter, Spike wrote, "…yesterday on Mt. Suribachi the Stars and Stripes went up, which you can see from everywhere on the island, and it was a thrill to witness it…." Think of it, Spike Kratochvil, master sergeant, Marine, English professor, dean of students, Epsilon Chapter advisor, and witness to the raising of the flag on Mt. Suribachi Let us take just a moment from our busy lives and remind all Fraters, young and old, a bit about Spike and his background. He was raised as an only child by his parents in Des Moines. He attended Roosevelt High School, graduating in 1936. He then headed across town to Drake University, where he joined Xi Chapter of TKE in 1940 and studied English and English history. Following graduation, he headed to Iowa State College, where he received his master's in English and taught for 40 years. Spike became Epsilon Chapter's advisor in 1946. Spike was not a nameless hard-ass Marine but rather a gentle soul, well-read, and a gentleman like few others. Spike was a true academic, a philosopher, a voracious reader of all things, and an expert in thought. He led Epsilon Chapter to greatness with a gentle hand, guiding a thousand Tekes as their Chapter advisor for 38 years. He generously held regular study hours at his well-appointed apartment at 111 Lynn, right across the street from campus, and attended countless Chapter meetings, coffees, and weddings. Spike has no doubt been one of our many secret weapons of greatness at 224 Ash. Recently, Spike was chosen as a Top 125 TKE member from all of TKE. At Epsilon, we know why he deserved this place in TKE history. Yours in the Bond, Roger C. Underwood '76 E-1239 Epsilon's Alumni Historian *Spike wrote to his parents every single day while in the service. Roger Underwood was given all of Spike's extensive files and records at his death, including all of the letters that he wrote home. This letter stands out due to the historical connection to the Raising of the Flag on Mt. Suribachi. Top 125 TKE Member, Marine, Epsilon Chapter Advisor, and So Much More SPIKE'S STORY

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