Military history

Marines who Won the Medal of Honor on Iwo Jima

(* indicates that the award was given after death)

       

Name

Rank

Date

Reason for Award

*Berry, Charles Joseph

Corporal

March 3, 1945

Smothered grenade with his body to save his comrades

*Caddy, William Robert

Private First Class

March 3, 1945

Smothered grenade with his body to save his comrades.

*Cole, Darrell Samuel

Sergeant

Feb. 19, 1945

Fought his way to Airfield One and destroyed several pillboxes before he was killed

Dunlap, Robert Hugo

Captain

Feb. 20-21, 1945

Spent two nights in front of Marine lines, directing fire on enemy caves.

Chambers, Justice Marion

Lieutenant Colonel

Feb. 19-22, 1945

Exposing himself to enemy fire he inspired his men in assault on Quarry until he fell critically wounded.

Gray, Ross Franklin

Sergeant

Feb. 21, 1945

Wiped out six enemy positions and killed more than 25 enemy soldiers.

Harrell, William George

Sergeant

March 3, 1945

In dawn battle he saved his post, killing a dozen enemy soldiers, but lost both hands.

Jacobson, Douglas Thomas

Private First Class

Feb. 26, 1945

Destroyed 16 pillboxes and killed 75 Japanese in assault on Hill 382.

*Julian, Joseph Rodolph

Sergeant

March 9, 1945

In a one-man assault he smashed enemy positions with grenades, a rifle, demolition charges and a bazooka.

*LaBelle, James Dennis

Private First Class

March 8, 1945

Smothered grenade with his body to save his comrades.

Leims, John Harold

Second Lieutenant

March 7, 1945

Made two trips into enemy area to save wounded men from certain death.

Lucas, Jacklyn Harrell

Private First Class

Feb. 20, 1945

Fell on one grenade, pulled a second under him to save comrades.

*Lummus, Jack

First Lieutenant

March 8, 1945

Destroyed three pillboxes single-handedly. Despite serious wounds he led his men until blown up by land mine.

*Martin, Harry Linn

First Lieutenant

March 26, 1945

Rallied his men and fought off final enemy charge.

Mccarthy, Joseph Jeremiah

Captain

Feb. 21, 1945

Knocked out two pillboxes and inspired capture of ridge in front of Airfield Number Two.

*Phillips, George

Private

March 14, 1945

Smothered grenade with his body to save his comrades.

Pierce, Francis Jr.

Corpsman

March 15-16, 1945

Fought off enemy, treated injured even though wounded.

*Ruhl, Donald Jack

Private First Class

Feb. 19-21, 1945

After three days of heroic fighting, smothered a demolition charge to save his companion.

Sigler, Franklin Earl

Private

March 14, 1945

Despite wounds he led a fierce assault which destroyed a number of enemy positions; then he directed artillery fire and rescued wounded comrades.

*Stein, Tony

Corporal

Feb. 19, 1945

Killed 20 enemy in slashing d-day assault.

Wahlen, George Edward

Corpsman

Feb. 26, 1945

Wounded three times in saving injured Marines.

*Walsh, William Gary

Sergeant

Feb. 27, 1945

Led two daring assaults and then smothered a grenade with his body to save comrades.

Watson, Wilson Douglas

Private

Feb. 26-27, 1945

Destroyed a pillbox and then scaled a ridge and killed 60 Japanese while exposed to enemy fire.

Williams, Hershel Woodrow

Corporal

Feb. 23, 1945

In a four-hour assault smashed several enemy strongpoints with a flame thrower.

*Williams, Jack

Corpsman

March 3, 1945

Shot four times, died still treating Marines.

*Willis, John Harlan

Corpsman

Feb. 28, 1945

Died treating Marine and fighting a grenade battle.

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