TALES OF HONOR AND VALOR BY TIMOTHY DAUDELIN Heroes in Black Sand USMC 1987-1991 Iwo Jima Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue The Battle of Iwo Jima fought in February and March of 1945 was an essential step in the final defeat of the Empire of Japan. The airfields on Iwo would save the lives of many bomber crews who were returning from runs over Japan in crippled aircraft. Operation Detachment was the invasion of Iwo Jima by three Marine Divisions with the objective to capture the island and its three airfields. The battle would cost over 6800 American lives and more than 18,000 Japanese. Admiral Chester Nimitz would say of the men who fought there Uncommon valor was a common virtue. In the first week a photo of a flag being raised on Mount Suribachi would become the most iconic image in Marine Corps history, and the battle itself would become the Corps finest hour. The battle would end on 26 March 1945, and in the five bloody weeks of intense combat, some 27 Marines and Sailors would earn our nation s highest award for valor the, Medal of Honor. During WWII, 82 Medals of Honor were awarded to US Marines, 28% of them were for the Battle of Iwo Jima. In the following pages I will discuss all of these heroic warriors whose action on Iwo Jima were above and beyond the call of duty. 3rd Marine Division Corporal Hershel Williams of 1st Battalion, 21st Marines, 23 Feb 1945. Williams was a flame thrower operator with only a few rifleman to support him. He fought for four hours to neutralize an enemy stronghold of several pillboxes and emplacements with flame throwers and demolition charges running back to the beach to rearm himself several times. His heroic actions broke the stalemate and allowed the Marines to advance to its objective. Private Wilson Watson of 2nd Battalion,9th Marines, 26-27 February 1945. Watson singlehandedly engaged the enemy positions that were pinning down his unit. He charged a pill box and kept the enemy pinned with his fire until he could get close enough to throw a grenade. He continually engaged the enemy killing over 60 enemy troops until his unit could join him, overcome the resistance, and advance to their next objective. 2nd Lt John Leims, Co B, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 7 March 1945. After leading his men to a hard fought victory to capture an objective and restorie communications with a cut off platoon, he became aware of wounded Marines left behind on a ridge. He repeatedly moved under horrific enemy fire to personally reach and carry to safety several wounded Marines without regard for his own life.
4th Marine Division Lt Col Justice Chambers, 3rd Assault Bn Landing Team, 25th Marines, 19-22 Feb 1945. Led his men in an 8 hour battle constantly exposing himself to enemy fire encouraging his Marines to move forward by his example and valor to maintain a flanking position vital to keeping the Marines foothold intact. He also observed and kept the Regiment informed of vital information on enemy movements. He then skillfully directed rocket attacks on enemy positions before he was critically wounded and evacuated. Sgt Darrel S Cole, Co B, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines, 19 February 1945. As a Machine gun section leader, Cole led his men during the initial invasion against strong enemy emplacements. When he became pinned down by enemy machine guns, Sgt Cole charged forward destroying the enemy guns with hand grenades. His unit continued the advance and became pinned again. When the Marines gun jammed, Sgt Cole charged several times with only a pistol and grenades and singlehandedly destroyed the enemy positions allowing his unit to continue the advance. As Sgt Cole returned to his men he was killed by a grenade. His heroism led directly to the success of his unit s advance on its objective. Sgt Ross F Gray, Co A,1st Battalion, 25th Marines. 21 February 1945. After his men came under heavy grenade attack by Japanese, Gray skillfully led his men to safety out of range of the attack, then moved forward alone to recon the forward position. In doing so he uncovered an enemy garrison protected by a mine field. He systematically engaged and destroyed six enemy positions, cleared a mine field, and personally overwhelmed the enemy garrison, allowing his men to advance on their objectives. His heroic leadership would be lost six days later, when he fell in an artillery barrage. Private First Class Douglas Jacobson, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines, 26 February 1945. Following the destruction of an enemy 20mm gun, Jacobson took over bazooka duty as his unit attempted to attack Hill 382. He took out many enemy positions, including machine gun emplacements, blockhouses, pillboxes and rifle pits. After Marines took these positions over, he continued to assault enemy positions and even destroyed a tank that was assaulting the Marines. In all he singlehandedly destroyed no fewer than 16 enemy positions and had eliminated some 75 Japanese soldiers. His heroism directly led to his unit accomplishing its mission. Captain Joseph McCarthy, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines, 21 February 1945. Acting on his own initiative, he organized his men and led them across machine gun swept ground to destroy enemy positions near an enemy airfield. He skillfully led his troops in assaulting and overcoming enemy defenses. At one point during the fight, he saw Japanese soldiers taking aim at several of his Marines. McCarthy stood up exposing himself to enemy fire and eliminated the enemy soldiers with his personal weapon. He then took advantage of the breach by rallying his Company forward to press the attack and defeat the Japanese defenders. His outstanding leadership and personal valor were an inspiration to his men and led directly to the success of his unit s efforts.
5th Marine Division Corporal Charles Berry, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 3 March 1945. Cpl Berry, formerly a member of the elite ParaMarines, was a machine gunner who was a member of the unit holding a line when they were attacked by Japanese troops. A grenade duel ensued, with troops throwing devices back and forth at each other. When a Japanese grenade fell into his foxhole, he unhesitatingly dropped on top of the deadly device absorbing the full explosion, unselfishly giving his life to save his fellow Marines PFC William Caddy, Co I, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines. 3 March 1945. PFC Caddy, along with fellow Marines, were advancing on Japanese positions when they became pinned down in a shell crater. As his Plt Commander and Plt Sgt joined him in the hole Japanese attacks intensified. As they defended their position, a grenade landed among them. Without any regard for himself, he leaped upon the grenade absorbing the blast saving his commander and top Sgt. He gave his life to save his brothers. Captain Robert Dunlap, Co C, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 20-21 February 1945. Capt Dunlap, leading an advance of his men, became caught in ferocious incoming mortar and machine gun fire. He moved alone about 200 yards to the front to give himself the ability to spot enemy emplacements and call for artillery support. After locating the positions, he returned to his line and called in support. He then moved forward again to better direct the fire all the while exposing himself to the enemy. His daring leadership and selfless actions led to the unit achieving its objective. Sgt William Harrell, Co A, 1st Battalion, 28th Marines. 3 March 1945. While defending a command post with a fellow Marine, Japanese troops infiltrated their position. Sgt Harrell boldly held off the enemy onslaught. During the initial moments of the fight, he and his fellow Marine were severely wounded. Although Harrell suffered a fractured thigh and severed left hand, he continued to hold off the attacking Japanese. Sending his wounded comrade to the rear, he engaged the attackers killing each of them with his carbine and pistol. The last of the enemy threw a grenade at him. He picked it up and threw it back killing the Japanese soldier. At dawn he was evacuated and treated for his wounds. His position held and his command post was safe due to his heroism. Platoon Sgt Joseph Julian, 1st Battalion, 27th Marines, 9 March 1945. After getting his platoon in position, he stormed forward on a one man attack on an enemy pillbox. He blasted it with demolition charges and killed the escaping Japanese with rifle fire. He then moved to engage two cave positions destroying each. After that, he and another Marine conducted a bazooka attack on the remaining pillbox firing multiple rounds knocking out the position. Just then a vicious wall of enemy fire cut down this brave Marine. His leadership and self sacrifice served as an inspiration to his Marines and was essential in the final victory over this well fortified Japanese defense.
PFC James LaBellle, Weapons Company, 27th Marines, 8 March 1945. While dug into a defensive line during a crucial phase of the operation, La- Belle and two fellow Marines watched and waited throughout the night for enemy activity. Suddenly as Japanese forces began to assault the line, a deadly grenade landed among he and his comrades. Without hesitation and utter disregard for himself, he threw himself on top of the grenade sacrificing his life for his fellow Marines. Lt Jack Lummus, 2nd Battalion, 27th Marines, 8 March 1945. The former NY Giant football player valiantly led his men under heavy fire against many key Japanese positions. After knocking out one pillbox, he stormed the second and was severely wounded by a grenade blast. Ignoring his wounds he charged forward in a one man attack destroying the enemy position. He rallied his men to continue on and assaulted more enemy emplacements. He bravely led his men in destroying all the enemy before stepping on a mine which mortally wounded Lummus. He gallantly gave his life for his country. 1st Lt Harry Martin, Co C, 5th Pioneer Battalion, 26 March 1945. When his bivouac was overrun, he quickly reorganized his men to check the attack. He then singlehandedly moved forward, pistol in hand, to liberate several Marines surrounded by the Japanese attackers. When the Japanese counterattacked with machine guns, Martin charged them and killed them all. Seeing that they could not withstand another attack he ordered his men to charge forward into the attackers. It was then he fell to an enemy grenade. His inspired leadership and valor completely disrupted the Japanese attack saving many lives. Private George Phillips, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 14 March 1945. While standing a foxhole watch during bitter fighting, Phillips was the only one aware that an enemy grenade had landed among them. With no time to warn his comrades, he willingly sacrificed his life by covering and absorbing the full blast of the deadly weapon. His self sacrifice and overwhelming concern for the lives of his comrades led him to sacrifice his own and gallantly give his life for his country. PFC Donald Ruhl, Co E 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 19-21 February 1945. During the first three days of the battle Ruhl, a former ParaMarine constantly displayed exceptional courage under fire. On D-Day he had singlehandedly took out an enemy bunker and eliminated the enemy with the rifle and bayonet. He also exposed himself to retrieve a downed Marine and carry him through heavy fire to safety. Soon after, he and another Marine moved over 75 yards to investigate an enemy emplacement near Mt Suribachi. A deadly grenade was thrown at the men. In an act of unselfish heroism, he fell on the grenade to save his comrade. He gave his life for his brother.
Private Franklin Sigler, 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines, 14 March 1945. Following his commander becoming a casualty, Pvt Sigler volunteered to take command and led his troops on a bold charge into enemy fire overcoming the position and eliminating the defending Japanese. When the group took fire from concealed tunnels and caves, the Japanese were stunned when Sigler charged them singlehandedly. He was wounded and crawled back to his men. Refusing evacuation, he directed their fire to neutralize the positions. Ignoring his wounds, he aided the wounded carrying three men to safety. His valor and leadership helped release his company from the deadly fire and continue the advance. Corporal Tony Stein, Co A. 1st battalion, 28th Marines, 19 February 1945. he was the first MOH Recipient on Iwo. During the initial assault on the island Stein utilized an improvised antiaircraft gun to cover his men until they got into position. The Marines now came under mortar and machinegun fire. He stood up exposing himself to pinpoint enemy location, He engaged and neutralized many enemy positions, making multiple trips back to the beach to rearm himself. He even directed the fire of a half track to destroy a pillbox. Later in the battle he personally covered the withdraw of his unit to safety while under intense fire. His heroism led to the success of their mission. He died at the hands of a sniper 3 weeks later. GySgt William Walsh, Co G, 3rd Battalion, 27th Marines, 27 February 1945. While charging Hill 382, Gunny Walsh s unit became pinned down by ferocious enemy fire. He charged forward and rallied his men to continue the attack in a seemingly unwinnable situation. Gunny led his men up the rocky slope outlasting the enemy and taking the crest of the hill. Japanese soldiers, in last ditch attempts to break up the assault, threw grenades at the Marines taking the hill. One of these grenades fell among Gunny Walsh and his men. In a final heroic act of selflessness, Walsh dropped on to the deadly device saving the lives of his Marines and sacrificing his own. His devotion to his Marines was to the last full measure of devotion. As has been the case since 1775, when Marines go to war, they do so with their Navy brothers by their side. Iwo Jima was no different. Five Navy personnel would perform acts of heroism so great that they too would receive our nation s highest award for valor. Four of them were DOCS, Navy Corpsmen, whose devotion to the Marines they serve with is legendary from the beginnings of the Corps to the War on Terror. These are their stories. US AVY LtJG Rufus Herring, USS LCI (G)-449, 17 February 1945. During pre-invasion phases of Operation Detachment, Herring conned his vessel close to deliver devastating 40 and 20 mm fire on Japanese defenses. The enemy counter fires struck the ship setting it ablaze. Heavy mortar fire and costal guns pounded the ship killing or wounding most of the crew. The ship was without navigational control and drifted. After regaining consciousness, Herring worked his way to the pilot house and held their place in line and continued to see that their 20mm guns continued to pound the enemy positions. He then conned his ship to safety. His valor, tenacity and expert seamanship saved his ship and completed the mission.
Corpsmen Pharmacist Mate 1st Class Francis Pierce, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines, 15-16 March 1945. During the evacuation of two wounded Marines, the medical team of two Corpsman and eight stretcher bearers came under heavy fire. Wounding two of the Marines and one Corpsman. PM1C Pierce quickly took command, moving all wounded to a covered position where he rendered medical treatment. He then exposed himself, covering the evacuation of 3 of the wounded. He returned to care for the others. He again exposed himself to draw out the Japanese aggressor and eliminated him with the last of his ammo. Afterward he crossed fire swept ground to evacuate one of the wounded, then returned for the second. The next day he led a combat patrol to dispatch the snipers nest. During this action he was aiding a wounded Marine when he was seriously wounded, refusing care himself he saw to the aid and evacuation of the wounded Marine. His devotion to his Marines and medicine was an inspiration to the Battalion. Pharmacist Mate 2nd Class George Wahlen, 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines, 3 March 1945. Initially wounded on 28 Feb, Wahlen refused evacuation for treatment and continued to serve on the front lines. As his Marines fought for each inch of ground, he treated the wounded with utter disregard for his own wounds. During one assault, he was wounded again, once more refusing treatment or evacuation, and continued to tend to his Marines. Throughout the fight he continually exposed himself to get to the wounded and saved many lives. He was wounded again but ignored his pain and crawled over 50 yards to reach another downed Marine. His dedication to his Marines is awe inspiring and his devotion to duty was extraordinary. Pharmacist Mate 3rd Class Jack Williams, 3rd Battalion, 28th Marines, 3 March 1945. Moving forward under intense enemy fire to reach a wounded Marine, Williams dragged him into a shell crater and cared for his wounds. He was then struck by multiple enemy bullets seriously wounding him. Ignoring his own situation, he continued to treat his patient. Then he applied battle dressings to himself refusing evacuation. He then exposed himself to rescue another wounded Marine. After he saw his patient to safety, only then did he make his way to the rear to seek aid for himself. He was hit by a Japanese sniper and fell. He would succumb soon there after from the wounds suffered due to his devotion to duty and refusal to leave his wounded Marines. Pharmacist Mate 1st Class John H Willis, 3rd Battalion, 27th Marines, 28 February 1945. Administering aid to many wounded Marines under intense enemy fire, he was struck and seriously wounded. Ordered to the rear for treatment, he returned to his Company without receiving clearance. When he reached his men, they were in the midst of a bloody close quarter battle. He treated and tended to many downed Marines saving many lives. While in a covered position a grenade landed among them. He quickly picked it up and returned it. Then again and again. When the 7th grenade landed his luck ran out it exploded in his hand killing him. His extraordinary valor motivated his Marines to fight on to eventually overcome their foe. The Battle of Iwo Jima was one of the Corps finest hours and these heroic warriors gave all of them selves to achieve victory in the battle and WWII. To all the men on Iwo, the fallen and survivors alike, this country owes a debt of gratitude and appreciation for all their sacrifices and service.