USMC
Medal of Honor recipients
Navy
Medal of Honor recipients
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1ST CLASS JOHN H. WILLIS 3rd Bn, 27th Marines ![]() |
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PHARMACIST'S MATE FIRST CLASS JOHN H. WILLIS
UNITED STATES NAVY
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Platoon Corpsman
serving with the 3d Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, during
operations against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands,
28 February 1945. Constantly imperiled by artillery and mortar fire from
strong and mutually supporting pillboxes and caves studding Hill 362 in
the enemy's cross-island defenses, Willis resolutely administered first
aid to the many marines wounded during the furious close-in fighting until
he himself was struck by shrapnel and was ordered back to the battle-aid
station. Without waiting for official medical release, he quickly returned
to his company and, during a savage hand-to-hand enemy counterattack, daringly
advanced to the
extreme frontlines under mortar and sniper fire to aid
a marine Iying wounded in a shellhole. Completely unmindful of his own
danger as the Japanese intensified their attack, Willis calmly continued
to administer blood plasma to his patient, promptly returning the first
hostile grenade which landed in the shell-hole while he was working and
hurling back 7 more in quick succession before the ninth 1 exploded in
his hand and instantly killed him. By his great personal valor in saving
others at the sacrifice of his own life, he inspired his companions, although
terrifically outnumbered, to launch a fiercely determined attack and repulse
the enemy force. His exceptional fortitude and courage in the performance
of duty reflect the highest credit upon Willis and the U.S. Naval Service.
He gallantly gave his life for his country.
/S/ HARRY S. TRUMAN
3rd Marine Division
4th Marine Division
5th Marine Division
Berry
Caddy
Chambers
Cole
Dunlap
Gray
Harrell
Herring
Jacobson
Julian
Labelle
Leims
Lucas
Lummus
Martin
McCarthy
Phillips
Pierce
Ruhl
Sigler
Stein
Walsh
Watson
Wahlen
Williams
Williams USN
Willis
Marine Corps University Books online, Revolutionary War through Afghanistan
3rd MarDiv on Iwo Jima
4th MarDiv on Iwo Jima
5th MarDiv on Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima Medals of Honor recipients
Interactive map Northern Iwo Jima
Interactive map Southern Iwo Jima
Books and Iwo Jima related links
2025 Raymond C Backstrom All Rights reserved
Pages updated 28 March 2025
E-mail rbackstr2000@yahoo.com