World War II Medal of Honor Recipients (F-J)
*FARDY, JOHN PETER
- Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S Marine Corps, Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division.
- Place and date: Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands, 7 May 1945.
- Born: 8 August 1922, Chicago, Ill.
- Accredited to: Illinois.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty
as a squad leader, serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa
Shima in the Ryukyu Islands, 7 May 1945. When his squad was suddenly assailed
by extremely heavy small arms fire from the front during a determined advance
against strongly fortified, fiercely defended Japanese positions, Cpl.
Fardy temporarily deployed his men along a nearby drainage ditch. Shortly
thereafter, an enemy grenade fell among the marines in the ditch. Instantly
throwing himself upon the deadly missile, Cpl. Fardy absorbed the exploding
blast in his own body, thereby protecting his comrades from certain and
perhaps fatal injuries. Concerned solely for the welfare of his men, he
willingly relinquished his own hope of survival that his fellow marines
might live to carry on the fight against a fanatic enemy. A stouthearted
leader and indomitable fighter, Cpl. Fardy, by his prompt decision and
resolute spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death, had rendered
valiant service, and his conduct throughout reflects the highest credit
upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for
his country.
*FEMOYER, ROBERT E. (Air Mission)
- Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, 711th Bombing Squadron, 447th Bomber Group, U.S. Army Air Corps.
- Place and date: Over Merseburg, Germany, 2 November 1944.
- Entered service at: Jacksonville, Fla.
- Born: 31 October 1921, Huntington, W. Va.
- G.O. No.: 35, 9 May 1945.
- Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty near Merseburg, Germany, on 2 November 1944. While on a mission,
the bomber, of which 2d Lt. Femoyer was the navigator, was struck by 3
enemy antiaircraft shells. The plane suffered serious damage and 2d Lt.
Femoyer was severely wounded in the side and back by shell fragments which
penetrated his body. In spite of extreme pain and great loss of blood he
refused an offered injection of morphine. He was determined to keep his
mental faculties clear in order that he might direct his plane out of danger
and so save his comrades. Not being able to arise from the floor, he asked
to be propped up in order to enable him to see his charts and instruments.
He successfully directed the navigation of his lone bomber for 2 1/2 hours
so well it avoided enemy flak and returned to the field without further
damage. Only when the plane had arrived in the safe area over the English
Channel did he feel that he had accomplished his objective; then, and only
then, he permitted an injection of a sedative. He died shortly after being
removed from the plane. The heroism and self-sacrifice of 2d Lt. Femoyer
are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.
FIELDS, JAMES H.
- Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 10th Armored Infantry, 4th Armored Division.
- Place and date: Rechicourt, France, 27 September 1944.
- Entered service at: Houston, Tex.
- Birth: Caddo, Tex.
- G.O. No.: 13, 27 February 1945.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at
risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, at Rechicourt, France.
On 27 September 1944, during a sharp action with the enemy infantry and
tank forces, 1st Lt. Fields personally led his platoon in a counterattack
on the enemy position. Although his platoon had been seriously depleted,
the zeal and fervor of his leadership was such as to inspire his small
force to accomplish their mission in the face of overwhelming enemy opposition.
Seeing that 1 of the men had been wounded, he left his slit trench and
with complete disregard for his personal safety attended the wounded man
and administered first aid. While returning to his slit trench he was seriously
wounded by a shell burst, the fragments of which cut through his face and
head, tearing his teeth, gums, and nasal passage. Although rendered speechless
by his wounds, 1st Lt. Fields refused to be evacuated and continued to
lead his platoon by the use of hand signals. On 1 occasion, when 2 enemy
machineguns had a portion of his unit under deadly crossfire, he left his
hole, wounded as he was, ran to a light machinegun, whose crew had been
knocked out, picked up the gun, and fired it from his hip with such deadly
accuracy that both the enemy gun positions were silenced. His action so
impressed his men that they found new courage to take up the fire fight,
increasing their firepower, and exposing themselves more than ever to harass
the enemy with additional bazooka and machinegun fire. Only when his objective
had been taken and the enemy scattered did 1st Lt. Fields consent to be
evacuated to the battalion command post. At this point he refused to move
further back until he had explained to his battalion commander by drawing
on paper the position of his men and the disposition of the enemy forces.
The dauntless and gallant heroism displayed by 1st Lt. Fields were largely
responsible for the repulse of the enemy forces and contributed in a large
measure to the successful capture of his battalion objective during this
action. His eagerness and determination to close with the enemy and to
destroy him was an inspiration to the entire command, and are in the highest
traditions of the U.S. Armed Forces.
FINN, JOHN WILLIAM
- Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy.
- Place and date: Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941.
- Entered service at: California.
- Born: 23 July 1909, Los Angeles, Calif.
- Citation:
For extraordinary heroism distinguished service, and devotion above and
beyond the call of duty. During the first attack by Japanese airplanes
on the Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, on 7 December 1941, Lt. Finn promptly
secured and manned a .50-caliber machinegun mounted on an instruction stand
in a completely exposed section of the parking ramp, which was under heavy
enemy machinegun strafing fire. Although painfully wounded many times,
he continued to man this gun and to return the enemy's fire vigorously
and with telling effect throughout the enemy strafing and bombing attacks
and with complete disregard for his own personal safety. It was only by
specific orders that he was persuaded to leave his post to seek medical
attention. Following first aid treatment, although obviously suffering
much pain and moving with great difficulty, he returned to the squadron
area and actively supervised the rearming of returning planes. His extraordinary
heroism and conduct in this action were in keeping with the highest traditions
of the U.S. Naval Service.
FISHER, ALMOND E.
- Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company E, 157th Infantry, 45th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Grammont, France, 12-13 September 1944.
- Entered service at: Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Birth: Hume, N.Y.
- G.O. No: 32, 23 April 1945.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on the night
of 1213 September 1944, near Grammont, France. In the darkness of early
morning, 2d Lt. Fisher was leading a platoon of Company E, 157th Infantry, in single column to the attack of a strongly defended hill position. At
2:30 A.M., the forward elements were brought under enemy machinegun fire
from a distance of not more than 20 yards. Working his way alone to within
20 feet of the gun emplacement, he opened fire with his carbine and killed
the entire guncrew. A few minutes after the advance was resumed, heavy
machinegun fire was encountered from the left flank. Again crawling forward
alone under withering fire, he blasted the gun and crew from their positions
with hand grenades. After a halt to replenish ammunition, the advance was
again resumed and continued for 1 hour before being stopped by intense
machinegun and rifle fire. Through the courageous and skillful leadership
of 2d Lt. Fisher, the pocket of determined enemy resistance was rapidly
obliterated. Spotting an emplaced machine pistol a short time later, with
1 of his men he moved forward and destroyed the position. As the advance
continued the fire fight became more intense. When a bypassed German climbed
from his foxhole and attempted to tear an Ml rifle from the hands of 1
of his men, 2d Lt. Fisher whirled and killed the enemy with a burst from
his carbine. About 30 minutes later the platoon came under the heavy fire
of machineguns from across an open field. 2d Lt. Fisher, disregarding the
terrific fire, moved across the field with no cover or concealment to within
range, knocked the gun from the position and killed or wounded the crew.
Still under heavy fire he returned to his platoon and continued the advance.
Once again heavy fire was encountered from a machinegun directly in front.
Calling for hand grenades, he found only 2 remaining in the entire platoon.
Pulling the pins and carrying a grenade in each hand, he crawled toward
the gun emplacement, moving across areas devoid of cover and under intense
fire to within 15 yards when he threw the grenades, demolished the gun
and killed the guncrew. With ammunition low and daybreak near, he ordered
his men to dig in and hold the ground already won. Under constant fire
from the front and from both flanks, he moved among them directing the
preparations for the defense. Shortly after the ammunition supply was replenished,
the Germans launched a last determined effort against the depleted group.
Attacked by superior numbers from the front, right, and left flank, and
even from the rear, the platoon, in bitter hand-to-hand engagements drove
back the enemy at every point. Wounded in both feet by close-range machine
pistol fire early in the battle, 2d Lt. Fisher refused medical attention.
Unable to walk, he crawled from man to man encouraging them and checking
each position. Only after the fighting had subsided did 2d Lt. Fisher crawl
300 yards to the aid station from which he was evacuated. His extraordinary
heroism, magnificent valor, and aggressive determination in the face of
pointblank enemy fire is an inspiration to his organization and reflects
the finest traditions of the U.S. Armed Forces.
*FLAHERTY, FRANCIS C.
- Rank and organization: Ensign, U.S. Naval Reserve, U.S.S. Oklahoma.
- Place and date: Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941.
- Born: 15 March 1919, Charlotte, Mich.
- Accredited to: Michigan.
- Citation: For conspicuous devotion
to duty and extraordinary courage and complete disregard of his own life,
above and beyond the call of duty, during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl
Harbor, by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. When it was seen that the
U.S.S. Oklahoma was going to capsize and the order was given to abandon
ship, Ens. Flaherty remained in a turret, holding a flashlight so the remainder
of the turret crew could see to escape, thereby sacrificing his own life.
*FLEMING, RICHARD E.
- Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, VMSB-241.
- Place and date: Battle of Midway, 4 and 5 June 1942.
- Born: 2 November 1917, St. Paul, Minn.
- Appointed from: Minnesota.
- Citation: For extraordinary
heroism and conspicuous intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty as
Flight Officer, Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 241, during action against
enemy Japanese forces in the battle of Midway on 4 and 5 June 1942. When
his Squadron Commander was shot down during the initial attack upon an
enemy aircraft carrier, Capt. Fleming led the remainder of the division
with such fearless determination that he dived his own plane to the perilously
low altitude of 400 feet before releasing his bomb. Although his craft
was riddled by 179 hits in the blistering hail of fire that burst upon
him from Japanese fighter guns and antiaircraft batteries, he pulled out
with only 2 minor wounds inflicted upon himself. On the night of 4 June,
when the squadron commander lost his way and became separated from the
others, Capt. Fleming brought his own plane in for a safe landing at its
base despite hazardous weather conditions and total darkness. The following
day, after less than 4 hours' sleep, he led the second division of his
squadron in a coordinated glide-bombing and dive-bombing assault upon a
Japanese battleship. Undeterred by a fateful approach glide, during which
his ship was struck and set afire, he grimly pressed home his attack to
an altitude of 500 feet, released his bomb to score a near miss on the
stern of his target, then crashed to the sea in flames. His dauntless perseverance
and unyielding devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions
of the U.S. Naval Service.
FLUCKEY, EUGENE BENNETT
- Rank and organization: Commander, U.S. Navy, Commanding U.S.S. Barb.
- Place and date: Along coast of China, 19 December 1944 to 15 February 1945.
- Entered service at: Illinois.
- Born: S October 1913, Washington, D.C.
- Other Navy award: Navy Cross with 3 Gold Stars.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty
as commanding officer of the U.S.S. Barb during her 11th war patrol along
the east coast of China from 19 December 1944 to 15 February 1945. After
sinking a large enemy ammunition ship and damaging additional tonnage during
a running 2-hour night battle on 8 January, Comdr. Fluckey, in an exceptional
feat of brilliant deduction and bold tracking on 25 January, located a
concentration of more than 30 enemy ships in the lower reaches of Nankuan
Chiang (Mamkwan Harbor). Fully aware that a safe retirement would necessitate
an hour's run at full speed through the uncharted, mined, and rock-obstructed
waters, he bravely ordered, "Battle station--torpedoes!" In a
daring penetration of the heavy enemy screen, and riding in 5 fathoms of
water, he launched the Barb's last forward torpedoes at 3,000-yard range.
Quickly bringing the ship's stern tubes to bear, he turned loose 4 more
torpedoes into the enemy, obtaining 8 direct hits on 6 of the main targets
to explode a large ammunition ship and cause inestimable damage by the
resultant flying shells and other pyrotechnics. Clearing the treacherous
area at high speed, he brought the Barb through to safety and 4 days later
sank a large Japanese freighter to complete a record of heroic combat achievement,
reflecting the highest credit upon Comdr. Fluckey, his gallant officers
and men, and the U.S. Naval Service.
FOSS, JOSEPH JACOB
- Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, VMF-121, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.
- Place and date: Over Guadalcanal, 9 October to 19 November 1942, 15 and 23 January 1943.
- Entered service at: South Dakota.
- Born: 17 April 1 915, Sioux Falls, S. Dak.
- Citation:
For outstanding heroism and courage above and beyond the call of duty as
executive officer of Marine Fighting Squadron 121, 1st Marine Aircraft
Wing, at Guadalcanal. Engaging in almost daily combat with the enemy from
9 October to 19 November 1942, Capt. Foss personally shot down 23 Japanese
planes and damaged others so severely that their destruction was extremely
probable. In addition, during this period, he successfully led a large
number of escort missions, skillfully covering reconnaissance, bombing,
and photographic planes as well as surface craft. On 15 January 1943, he
added 3 more enemy planes to his already brilliant successes for a record
of aerial combat achievement unsurpassed in this war. Boldly searching
out an approaching enemy force on 25 January, Capt. Foss led his 8 F-4F Marine planes and 4 Army P-38's into action and, undaunted by tremendously
superior numbers, intercepted and struck with such force that 4 Japanese
fighters were shot down and the bombers were turned back without releasing
a single bomb. His remarkable flying skill, inspiring leadership, and indomitable
fighting spirit were distinctive factors in the defense of strategic American
positions on Guadalcanal.
*FOSTER, WILLIAM ADELBERT
- Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 3d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division.
- Place and date: Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Chain, 2 May 1945
- Born: 17 February 1915, Cleveland, Ohio.
- Accredited to: Ohio.
- Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty while serving as a rifleman with the 3d Battalion,
1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces
on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain 2 May 1945. Dug in with another marine
on the point of the perimeter defense after waging a furious assault against
a strongly fortified Japanese position, Pfc. Foster and his comrade engaged
in a fierce hand grenade duel with infiltrating enemy soldiers. Suddenly
an enemy grenade landed beyond reach in the foxhole. Instantly diving on
the deadly missile, Pfc. Foster absorbed the exploding charge in his own
body, thereby protecting the other marine from serious injury. Although
mortally wounded as a result of his heroic action, he quickly rallied,
handed his own remaining 2 grenades to his comrade and said, "Make
them count." Stouthearted and indomitable, he had unhesitatingly relinquished
his own chance of survival that his fellow marine might carry on the relentless
fight against a fanatic enemy, and his dauntless determination, cool decision
and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death reflect
the highest credit upon Pfc. Foster and upon the U.S. Naval Service. He
gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.
*FOURNIER, WILLIAM G.
- Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company M, 35th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Mount Austen, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, 10 January 1943.
- Entered service at: Winterport, Maine.
- Birth: Norwich, Conn.
- G.O. No.: 28, 5 June 1943.
- Citation: For gallantry and intrepidity
above and beyond the call of duty. As leader of a machinegun section charged
with the protection of other battalion units, his group was attacked by
a superior number of Japanese, his gunner killed, his assistant gunner
wounded, and an adjoining guncrew put out of action. Ordered to withdraw
from this hazardous position, Sgt. Fournier refused to retire but rushed
forward to the idle gun and, with the aid of another soldier who joined
him, held up the machinegun by the tripod to increase its field action.
They opened fire and inflicted heavy casualties upon the enemy. While so
engaged both these gallant soldiers were killed, but their sturdy defensive
was a decisive factor in the following success of the attacking battalion
.
*FOWLER, THOMAS W.
- Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 1st Armored Division.
- Place and date: Near Carano, Italy, 23 May 1944.
- Entered service at: Wichita Falls, Tex.
- Birth: Wichita Falls, Tex.
- G.O. No.: 84, 28 October, 1944.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above
and beyond the call of duty, on 23 May 1944, in the vicinity of Carano,
Italy. In the midst of a full-scale armored-infantry attack, 2d Lt. Fowler,
while on foot, came upon 2 completely disorganized infantry platoons held
up in their advance by an enemy minefield. Although a tank officer, he
immediately reorganized the infantry. He then made a personal reconnaissance
through the minefield, clearing a path as he went, by lifting the antipersonnel
mines out of the ground with his hands. After he had gone through the 75-yard
belt of deadly explosives, he returned to the infantry and led them through
the minefield, a squad at a time. As they deployed, 2d Lt. Fowler, despite
small arms fire and the constant danger of antipersonnel mines, made a
reconnaissance into enemy territory in search of a route to continue the
advance. He then returned through the minefield and, on foot, he led the
tanks through the mines into a position from which they could best support
the infantry. Acting as scout 300 yards in front of the infantry, he led
the 2 platoons forward until he had gained his objective, where he came
upon several dug-in enemy infantrymen. Having taken them by surprise, 2d
Lt. Fowler dragged them out of their foxholes and sent them to the rear;
twice, when they resisted, he threw hand grenades into their dugouts. Realizing
that a dangerous gap existed between his company and the unit to his right,
2d Lt. Fowler decided to continue his advance until the gap was filled.
He reconnoitered to his front, brought the infantry into position where
they dug in and, under heavy mortar and small arms fire, brought his tanks
forward. A few minutes later, the enemy began an armored counterattack.
Several Mark Vl tanks fired their cannons directly on 2d Lt. Fowler's position.
One of his tanks was set afire. With utter disregard for his own life,
with shells bursting near him, he ran directly into the enemy tank fire
to reach the burning vehicle. For a half-hour, under intense strafing from
the advancing tanks, although all other elements had withdrawn, he remained
in his forward position, attempting to save the lives of the wounded tank
crew. Only when the enemy tanks had almost overrun him, did he withdraw
a short distance where he personally rendered first aid to 9 wounded infantrymen
in the midst of the relentless incoming fire. 2d Lt. Fowler's courage,
his ability to estimate the situation and to recognize his full responsibility
as an officer in the Army of the United States, exemplify the high traditions
of the military service for which he later gave his life.
*FRYAR, ELMER E.
- Rank and organization: Private, U .S. Army, Company E, 511th Parachute Infantry, 11th Airborne Division.
- Place and date: Leyte, Philippine Islands, 8 December 1944.
- Entered service at: Denver, Colo.
- Birth: Denver, Colo.
- G.O. No.: 35, 9 May 1945.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Pvt. Fryar's
battalion encountered the enemy strongly entrenched in a position supported
by mortars and automatic weapons. The battalion attacked, but in spite
of repeated efforts was unable to take the position. Pvt. Fryar's company
was ordered to cover the battalion's withdrawal to a more suitable point
from which to attack, but the enemy launched a strong counterattack which
threatened to cut off the company. Seeing an enemy platoon moving to outflank
his company, he moved to higher ground and opened heavy and accurate fire.
He was hit, and wounded, but continuing his attack he drove the enemy back
with a loss of 27 killed. While withdrawing to overtake his squad, he found
a seriously wounded comrade, helped him to the rear, and soon overtook
his platoon leader, who was assisting another wounded. While these 4 were
moving to rejoin their platoon, an enemy sniper appeared and aimed his
weapon at the platoon leader. Pvt. Fryar instantly sprang forward, received
the full burst of automatic fire in his own body and fell mortally wounded.
With his remaining strength he threw a hand grenade and killed the sniper.
Pvt. Fryar's indomitable fighting spirit and extraordinary gallantry above
and beyond the call of duty contributed outstandingly to the success of
the battalion's withdrawal and its subsequent attack and defeat of the
enemy. His heroic action in unhesitatingly giving his own life for his
comrade in arms exemplifies the highest tradition of the U.S. Armed Forces.
FUNK, LEONARD A., JR.
- Rank and organization: First Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company C, 508th Parachute Infantry, 82d Airborne Division.
- Place and date: Holzheim, Belgium, 29 January 1945.
- Entered service at: Wilkinsburg, Pa.
- Birth: Braddock Township, Pa.
- G.O. No.: 75, 5 September 1945.
- Citation: He distinguished himself
by gallant, intrepid actions against the enemy. After advancing 15 miles
in a driving snowstorm, the American force prepared to attack through waist-deep
drifts. The company executive officer became a casualty, and 1st Sgt. Funk
immediately assumed his duties, forming headquarters soldiers into a combat
unit for an assault in the face of direct artillery shelling and harassing
fire from the right flank. Under his skillful and courageous leadership,
this miscellaneous group and the 3d Platoon attacked 15 houses, cleared
them, and took 30 prisoners without suffering a casualty. The fierce drive
of Company C quickly overran Holzheim, netting some 80 prisoners, who were
placed under a 4-man guard, all that could be spared, while the rest of
the understrength unit went about mopping up isolated points of resistance.
An enemy patrol, by means of a ruse, succeeded in capturing the guards
and freeing the prisoners, and had begun preparations to attack Company
C from the rear when 1st Sgt. Funk walked around the building and into
their midst. He was ordered to surrender by a German officer who pushed
a machine pistol into his stomach. Although overwhelmingly outnumbered
and facing almost certain death, 1st Sgt. Funk, pretending to comply with
the order, began slowly to unsling his submachine gun from his shoulder
and then, with lightning motion, brought the muzzle into line and riddled
the German officer. He turned upon the other Germans, firing and shouting
to the other Americans to seize the enemy's weapons. In the ensuing fight
21 Germans were killed, many wounded, and the remainder captured. 1st Sgt.
Funk's bold action and heroic disregard for his own safety were directly
responsible for the recapture of a vastly superior enemy force, which,
if allowed to remain free, could have taken the widespread units of Company
C by surprise and endangered the entire attack plan.
FUQUA, SAMUEL GLENN
- Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Navy, U.S.S. Arizona.
- Place and date: Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941.
- Entered service at: Laddonia, Mo.
- Born: 15 October 1899, Laddonia Mo.
- Citation: For distinguished
conduct in action, outstanding heroism, and utter disregard of his own
safety above and beyond the call of duty during the attack on the Fleet
in Pearl Harbor, by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. Upon the commencement
of the attack, Lt. Comdr. Fuqua rushed to the quarterdeck of the U.S.S.
Arizona to which he was attached where he was stunned and knocked down
by the explosion of a large bomb which hit the guarterdeck, penetrated
several decks, and started a severe fire. Upon regaining consciousness,
he began to direct the fighting of the fire and the rescue of wounded and
injured personnel. Almost immediately there was a tremendous explosion
forward, which made the ship appear to rise out of the water, shudder,
and settle down by the bow rapidly. The whole forward part of the ship
was enveloped in flames which were spreading rapidly, and wounded and burned
men were pouring out of the ship to the quarterdeck. Despite these conditions,
his harrowing experience, and severe enemy bombing and strafing, at the
time, Lt. Comdr. Fuqua continued to direct the fighting of fires in order
to check them while the wounded and burned could be taken from the ship
and supervised the rescue of these men in such an amazingly calm and cool
manner and with such excellent judgment that it inspired everyone who saw
him and undoubtedly resulted in the saving of many lives. After realizing
the ship could not be saved and that he was the senior surviving officer
aboard, he directed it to be abandoned, but continued to remain on the
quarterdeck and directed abandoning ship and rescue of personnel until
satisfied that all personnel that could be had been saved, after which
he left his ship with the boatload. The conduct of Lt. Comdr. Fuqua was
not only in keeping with the highest traditions of the naval service but
characterizes him as an outstanding leader of men.
GALER, ROBERT EDWARD
- Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Marine Corps, VMF-244.
- Place and date: Solomon Islands Area.
- Entered service at: Washington.
- Born: 23 October 1913, Seattle, Wash.
- Other Navy awards: Navy Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross.
- Citation: For conspicuous heroism and courage above and beyond
the call of duty as leader of a marine fighter squadron in aerial combat
with enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands area. Leading his squadron
repeatedly in daring and aggressive raids against Japanese aerial forces,
vastly superior in numbers, Maj. Galer availed himself of every favorable
attack opportunity, individually shooting down 11 enemy bomber and fighter
aircraft over a period of 29 days. Though suffering the extreme physical
strain attendant upon protracted fighter operations at an altitude above
25,000 feet, the squadron under his zealous and inspiring leadership shot
down a total of 27 Japanese planes. His superb airmanship, his outstanding
skill and personal valor reflect great credit upon Maj. Galer's gallant
fighting spirit and upon the U.S. Naval Service.
*GALT, WILLIAM WYLIE
- Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army, 168th Infantry, 34th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: At Villa Crocetta, Italy, 29 May 1944.
- Entered service at: Stanford, Mont.
- Birth: Geyser, Mont.
- G.O. No.: 1, 1 February 1945.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond
the call of duty. Capt. Galt, Battalion S3, at a particularly critical
period following 2 unsuccessful attacks by his battalion, of his own volition
went forward and ascertained just how critical the situation was. He volunteered,
at the risk of his life, personally to lead the battalion against the objective.
When the lone remaining tank destroyer refused to go forward, Capt. Galt
jumped on the tank destroyer and ordered it to precede the attack. As the
tank destroyer moved forward, followed by a company of riflemen, Capt.
Galt manned the .30-caliber machinegun in the turret of the tank destroyer,
located and directed fire on an enemy 77mm. anti-tank gun, and destroyed
it. Nearing the enemy positions, Capt. Galt stood fully exposed in the
turret, ceaselessly firing his machinegun and tossing hand grenades into
the enemy zigzag series of trenches despite the hail of sniper and machinegun
bullets ricocheting off the tank destroyer. As the tank destroyer moved,
Capt. Galt so maneuvered it that 40 of the enemy were trapped in one trench.
When they refused to surrender, Capt. Galt pressed the trigger of the machinegun
and dispatched every one of them. A few minutes later an 88mm shell struck
the tank destroyer and Capt. Galt fell mortally wounded across his machinegun.
He had personally killed 40 Germans and wounded many more. Capt. Galt pitted
his judgment and superb courage against overwhelming odds, exemplifying
the highest measure of devotion to his country and the finest traditions
of the U.S. Army.
*GAMMON, ARCHER T.
- Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company A, 9th Armored Infantry Battalion, 6th Armored Division.
- Place and date: Near Bastogne, Belgium, 11 January 1945.
- Entered service at: Roanoke, Va.
- Born: 11 September 1918, Chatham, Va.
- G.O. No.: 18, 13 February 1946.
- Citation: He charged
30 yards through hip-deep snow to knock out a machinegun and its 3-man
crew with grenades, saving his platoon from being decimated and allowing
it to continue its advance from an open field into some nearby woods. The
platoon's advance through the woods had only begun when a machinegun supported
by riflemen opened fire and a Tiger Royal tank sent 88mm. shells screaming
at the unit from the left flank. S/Sgt. Gammon, disregarding all thoughts
of personal safety, rushed forward, then cut to the left, crossing the
width of the platoon's skirmish line in an attempt to get within grenade
range of the tank and its protecting foot troops. Intense fire was concentrated
on him by riflemen and the machinegun emplaced near the tank. He charged
the automatic weapon, wiped out its crew of 4 with grenades, and, with
supreme daring, advanced to within 25 yards of the armored vehicle, killing
2 hostile infantrymen with rifle fire as he moved forward. The tank had
started to withdraw, backing a short distance, then firing, backing some
more, and then stopping to blast out another round, when the man whose
single-handed relentless attack had put the ponderous machine on the defensive
was struck and instantly killed by a direct hit from the Tiger Royal's
heavy gun. By his intrepidity and extreme devotion to the task of driving
the enemy back no matter what the odds, S/Sgt. Gammon cleared the woods
of German forces, for the tank continued to withdraw, leaving open the
path for the gallant squad leader's platoon.
GARCIA, MARCARIO
- Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 22d Infantry, 4th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Grosshau, Germany, 27 November 1944.
- Entered service at: Sugarland, Tex.
- Born: 20 January 1920, Villa de Castano, Mexico.
- G.O. No.: 74, 1 September 1945.
- Citation: While an
acting squad leader of Company B, 22d Infantry, on 27 November 1944, near
Grosshau, Germany, he single-handedly assaulted 2 enemy machinegun emplacements.
Attacking prepared positions on a wooded hill, which could be approached
only through meager cover, his company was pinned down by intense machinegun
fire and subjected to a concentrated artillery and mortar barrage. Although
painfully wounded, he refused to be evacuated and on his own initiative
crawled forward alone until he reached a position near an enemy emplacement.
Hurling grenades, he boldly assaulted the position, destroyed the gun,
and with his rifle killed 3 of the enemy who attempted to escape. When
he rejoined his company, a second machinegun opened fire and again the
intrepid soldier went forward, utterly disregarding his own safety. He
stormed the position and destroyed the gun, killed 3 more Germans, and
captured 4 prisoners. He fought on with his unit until the objective was
taken and only then did he permit himself to be removed for medical care.
S/Sgt. (then private) Garcia's conspicuous heroism, his inspiring, courageous
conduct, and his complete disregard for his personal safety wiped out 2
enemy emplacements and enabled his company to advance and secure its objective.
GARMAN, HAROLD A.
- Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company B, 5th Medical Battalion, 5th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Montereau, France, 25 August 1944.
- Entered service at: Albion, Ill.
- Born: 26 February 1918, Fairfield, Ill.
- G.O. No.: 20, 29 March 1945.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.
On 25 August 1944, in the vicinity of Montereau, France, the enemy was
sharply contesting any enlargement of the bridgehead which our forces had
established on the northern bank of the Seine River in this sector. Casualties
were being evacuated to the southern shore in assault boats paddled by
litter bearers from a medical battalion. Pvt. Garman, also a litter bearer
in this battalion, was working on the friendly shore carrying the wounded
from the boats to waiting ambulances. As 1 boatload of wounded reached
midstream, a German machinegun suddenly opened fire upon it from a commanding
position on the northern bank 100 yards away. All of the men in the boat
immediately took to the water except 1 man who was so badly wounded he
could not rise from his litter. Two other patients who were unable to swim
because of their wounds clung to the sides of the boat. Seeing the extreme
danger of these patients, Pvt. Garman without a moment's hesitation plunged
into the Seine. Swimming directly into a hail of machinegun bullets, he
rapidly reached the assault boat and then while still under accurately
aimed fire towed the boat with great effort to the southern shore. This
soldier's moving heroism not only saved the lives of the three patients
but so inspired his comrades that additional assault boats were immediately
procured and the evacuation of the wounded resumed. Pvt. Garman's great
courage and his heroic devotion to the highest tenets of the Medical Corps
may be written with great pride in the annals of the corps.
GARY, DONALD ARTHUR
- Rank and organization: Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy, U.S.S. Franklin.
- Place and date: Japanese Home Islands near Kobe, Japan, 19 March 1945.
- Entered service at: Ohio.
- Born: 23 July 1903, Findlay, Ohio.
- Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty as an engineering officer attached to the U.S.S.
Franklin when that vessel was fiercely attacked by enemy aircraft during
the operations against the Japanese Home Islands near Kobe, Japan, 19 March
1945. Stationed on the third deck when the ship was rocked by a series
of violent explosions set off in her own ready bombs, rockets, and ammunition
by the hostile attack, Lt. (j.g.) Gary unhesitatingly risked his life to
assist several hundred men trapped in a messing compartment filled with
smoke, and with no apparent egress. As the imperiled men below decks became
increasingly panic stricken under the raging fury of incessant explosions,
he confidently assured them he would find a means of effecting their release
and, groping through the dark, debris-filled corridors, ultimately discovered
an escapeway. Stanchly determined, he struggled back to the messing compartment
3 times despite menacing flames, flooding water, and the ominous threat
of sudden additional explosions, on each occasion calmly leading his men
through the blanketing pall of smoke until the last one had been saved.
Selfless in his concern for his ship and his fellows, he constantly rallied
others about him, repeatedly organized and led fire-fighting parties into
the blazing inferno on the flight deck and, when firerooms 1 and 2 were
found to be inoperable, entered the No. 3 fireroom and directed the raising
of steam in 1 boiler in the face of extreme difficulty and hazard. An inspiring
and courageous leader, Lt. (j.g.) Gary rendered self-sacrificing service
under the most perilous conditions and, by his heroic initiative, fortitude,
and valor, was responsible for the saving of several hundred lives. His
conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and upon the
U.S. Naval Service.
GERSTUNG, ROBERT E.
- Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company H, 313th Infantry, 79th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Siegfried Line near Berg, Germany, 19 December 1944.
- Entered service at: Chicago, Ill.
- Born: 6 August 1915, Chicago, Ill.
- G.O. No.: 75, 5 September 1945.
- Citation: On 19 December
1944 he was ordered with his heavy machinegun squad to the support of an
infantry company attacking the outer defense of the Siegfried Line near
Berg, Germany. For 8 hours he maintained a position made almost untenable
by the density of artillery and mortar fire concentrated upon it and the
proximity of enemy troops who threw hand grenades into the emplacement.
While all other members of his squad became casualties, he remained at
his gun. When he ran out of ammunition, he fearlessly dashed across bullet-swept,
open terrain to secure a new supply from a disabled friendly tank. A fierce
barrage pierced the water jacket of his gun, but he continued to fire until
the weapon overheated and jammed. Instead of withdrawing, he crawled 50
yards across coverless ground to another of his company's machineguns which
had been silenced when its entire crew was killed. He continued to man
this gun, giving support vitally needed by the infantry. At one time he
came under direct fire from a hostile tank, which shot the glove from his
hand with an armor-piercing shell but could not drive him from his position
or stop his shooting. W hen the American forces were ordered to retire
to their original positions, he remained at his gun, giving the only covering
fire. Finally withdrawing, he cradled the heavy weapon in his left arm,
slung a belt of ammunition over his shoulder, and walked to the rear, loosing
small bursts at the enemy as he went. One hundred yards from safety, he
was struck in the leg by a mortar shell; but, with a supreme effort, he
crawled the remaining distance, dragging along the gun which had served
him and his comrades so well. By his remarkable perseverance, indomitable
courage, and heroic devotion to his task in the face of devastating fire,
T/Sgt. Gerstung gave his fellow soldiers powerful support in their encounter
with formidable enemy forces.
*GIBSON, ERIC G.
- Rank and organization. Technician Fifth Grade, U.S. Army, 3d Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Isola Bella, Italy, 28 January 1944.
- Entered service at: Chicago, Ill.
- Birth: Nysund, Sweden.
- G.O. No.: 74, 11 September 1944.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life
above and beyond the call of duty. On 28 January 1944, near Isola Bella,
Italy, Tech. 5th Grade Gibson, company cook, led a squad of replacements
through their initial baptism of fire, destroyed four enemy positions,
killed 5 and captured 2 German soldiers, and secured the left flank of
his company during an attack on a strongpoint. Placing himself 50 yards
in front of his new men, Gibson advanced down the wide stream ditch known
as the Fossa Femminamorta, keeping pace with the advance of his company.
An enemy soldier allowed Tech. 5th Grade Gibson to come within 20 yards
of his concealed position and then opened fire on him with a machine pistol.
Despite the stream of automatic fire which barely missed him, Gibson charged
the position, firing his submachine gun every few steps. Reaching the position,
Gibson fired pointblank at his opponent, killing him. An artillery concentration
fell in and around the ditch; the concussion from one shell knocked him
flat. As he got to his feet Gibson was fired on by two soldiers armed with
a machine pistol and a rifle from a position only 75 yards distant. Gibson
immediately raced toward the foe. Halfway to the position a machinegun
opened fire on him. Bullets came within inches of his body, yet Gibson
never paused in his forward movement. He killed one and captured the other
soldier. Shortly after, when he was fired upon by a heavy machinegun 200
yards down the ditch, Gibson crawled back to his squad and ordered it to
lay down a base of fire while he flanked the emplacement. Despite all warning,
Gibson crawled 125 yards through an artillery concentration and the cross
fire of 2 machineguns which showered dirt over his body, threw 2 hand grenades
into the emplacement and charged it with his submachine gun, killing 2
of the enemy and capturing a third. Before leading his men around a bend
in the stream ditch, Gibson went forward alone to reconnoiter. Hearing
an exchange of machine pistol and submachine gun fire, Gibson's squad went
forward to find that its leader had run 35 yards toward an outpost, killed
the machine pistol man, and had himself been killed while firing at the
Germans.
*GILMORE, HOWARD WALTER
- Rank and organization: Commander, U.S. Navy, U.S.S. Growler.
- Place and date: Southwest Pacific, 10 January to 7 February 1943.
- Born: 29 September 1902, Selma, Ala.
- Appointed from: Louisiana.
- Other Navy award: Navy Cross with one gold star.
- Citation: For distinguished gallantry and valor above and
beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of the U.S.S. Growler during
her Fourth War Patrol in the Southwest Pacific from 10 January to 7 February
1943. Boldly striking at the enemy in spite of continuous hostile air and
antisubmarine patrols, Comdr. Gilmore sank one Japanese freighter and damaged
another by torpedo fire, successfully evading severe depth charges following
each attack. In the darkness of night on 7 February, an enemy gunboat closed
range and prepared to ram the Growler. Comdr. Gilmore daringly maneuvered
to avoid the crash and rammed the attacker instead, ripping into her port
side at 11 knots and bursting wide her plates. In the terrific fire of
the sinking gunboat's heavy machineguns, Comdr. Gilmore calmly gave the
order to clear the bridge, and refusing safety for himself, remained on
deck while his men preceded him below. Struck down by the fusillade of
bullets and having done his utmost against the enemy, in his final living
moments, Comdr. Gilmore gave his last order to the officer of the deck,
"Take her down." The Growler dived; seriously damaged but under
control, she was brought safely to port by her well-trained crew inspired
by the courageous fighting spirit of their dead captain.
*GONSALVES, HAROLD
- Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 4th Battalion, 15th Marines, 6th Marine Division.
- Place and date: Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Chain, 15 April 1945.
- Born: 28 January 1926, Alameda, Calif.
- Accredited to: California.
- Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty while serving as Acting Scout Sergeant with
the 4th Battalion, 15th Marines, 6th Marine Division, during action against
enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, 15 April 1945.
Undaunted by the powerfully organized opposition encountered on Motobu
Peninsula during the fierce assault waged by his battalion against the
Japanese stronghold at Mount Yaetake, Pfc. Gonsalves repeatedly braved
the terrific enemy bombardment to aid his forward observation team in directing
well-placed artillery fire. When his commanding officer determined to move
into the front lines in order to register a more effective bombardment
in the enemy's defensive position, he unhesitatingly advanced uphill with
the officer and another Marine despite a slashing barrage of enemy mortar
and rifle fire. As they reached the front and a Japanese grenade fell close
within the group, instantly Pfc. Gonsalves dived on the deadly missile,
absorbing the exploding charge in his own body and thereby protecting the
others from serious and perhaps fatal wounds. Stouthearted and indomitable,
Pfc. Gonsalves readily yielded his own chances of survival that his fellow
marines might carry on the relentless battle against a fanatic enemy and
his cool decision, prompt action and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in
the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon himself and upon
the U.S. Naval Service.
*GONZALES, DAVID M.
- Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company A, 127th Infantry, 32d Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 25 April 1945.
- Entered service at: Pacoima, Calif.
- Birth: Pacoima, Calif.
- G.O. No.: 115, 8 December 1945.
- Citation: He was
pinned down with his company. As enemy fire swept the area, making any
movement extremely hazardous, a 500-pound bomb smashed into the company's
perimeter, burying 5 men with its explosion. Pfc. Gonzales, without hesitation,
seized an entrenching tool and under a hail of fire crawled 15 yards to
his entombed comrades, where his commanding officer, who had also rushed
forward, was beginning to dig the men out. Nearing his goal, he saw the
officer struck and instantly killed by machinegun fire. Undismayed, he
set to work swiftly and surely with his hands and the entrenching tool
while enemy sniper and machinegun bullets struck all about him. He succeeded
in digging one of the men out of the pile of rock and sand. To dig faster
he stood up regardless of the greater danger from so exposing himself.
He extricated a second man, and then another. As he completed the liberation
of the third, he was hit and mortally wounded, but the comrades for whom
he so gallantly gave his life were safely evacuated. Pfc. Gonzales' valiant
and intrepid conduct exemplifies the highest tradition of the military
service.
GORDON, NATHAN GREEN
- Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, commander of Catalina patrol plane.
- Place and date: Bismarck Sea, 15 February 1944.
- Entered service at: Arkansas.
- Born: 4 September 1916, Morrilton, Ark.
- Citation: For extraordinary
heroism above and beyond the call of duty as commander of a Catalina patrol
plane in rescuing personnel of the U.S. Army 5th Air Force shot down in
combat over Kavieng Harbor in the Bismarck Sea, 15 February 1944. On air
alert in the vicinity of Vitu Islands, Lt. (then Lt. j.g.) Gordon unhesitatingly
responded to a report of the crash and flew boldly into the harbor, defying
close-range fire from enemy shore guns to make 3 separate landings in full
view of the Japanese and pick up 9 men, several of them injured. With his
cumbersome flying boat dangerously overloaded, he made a brilliant takeoff
despite heavy swells and almost total absence of wind and set a course
for base, only to receive the report of another group stranded in a rubber
life raft 600 yards from the enemy shore. Promptly turning back, he again
risked his life to set his plane down under direct fire of the heaviest
defenses of Kavieng and take aboard 6 more survivors, coolly making his
fourth dexterous takeoff with 15 rescued officers and men. By his exceptional
daring, personal valor, and incomparable airmanship under most perilous
conditions, Lt. Gordon prevented certain death or capture of our airmen
by the Japanese.
*GOTT, DONALD J. (Air Mission)
- Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 729th Bomber Squadron, 452d Bombardment Group.
- Place and date: Saarbrucken, Germany, 9 November 1944.
- Entered service at: Arnett, Okla.
- Born: 3 June 1923, Arnett, Okla.
- G.O. No.: 38, 16 May 1945.
- Citation: On a bombing run upon the marshaling
yards at Saarbrucken a B-17 aircraft piloted by 1st. Lt. Gott was seriously
damaged by antiaircraft fire. Three of the aircraft's engines were damaged
beyond control and on fire; dangerous flames from the No. 4 engine were
leaping back as far as the tail assembly. Flares in the cockpit were ignited
and a fire raged therein, which was further increased by free-flowing fluid
from damaged hydraulic lines. The interphone system was rendered useless.
In addition to these serious mechanical difficulties the engineer was wounded
in the leg and the radio operator's arm was severed below the elbow. Suffering
from intense pain, despite the application of a tourniquet, the radio operator
fell unconscious. Faced with the imminent explosion of his aircraft, and
death to his entire crew, mere seconds before bombs away on the target,
1st. Lt. Gott and his copilot conferred. Something had to be done immediately
to save the life of the wounded radio operator. The lack of a static line
and the thought that his unconscious body striking the ground in unknown
territory would not bring immediate medical attention forced a quick decision.
1st. Lt. Gott and his copilot decided to fly the flaming aircraft to friendly
territory and then attempt to crash land. Bombs were released on the target
and the crippled aircraft proceeded alone to Allied-controlled territory.
When that had been reached, 1st. Lt. Gott had the copilot personally inform
all crewmembers to bail out. The copilot chose to remain with 1st. Lt.
Gott in order to assist in landing the bomber. With only one normally functioning
engine, and with the danger of explosion much greater, the aircraft banked
into an open field, and when it was at an altitude of 100 feet it exploded,
crashed, exploded again and then disintegrated. All 3 crewmembers were
instantly killed. 1st. Lt. Gott's loyalty to his crew, his determination
to accomplish the task set forth to him, and his deed of knowingly performing
what may have been his last service to his country was an example of valor
at its highest.
*GRABIARZ, WILLIAM J.
- Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army. Troop E, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division.
- Place and date: Manila, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 23 February 1945.
- Entered service at: Buffalo, N.Y.
- Birth: Buffalo, N.Y.
- G.O. No.: 115, 8 December 1945.
- Citation: He was a scout when the
unit advanced with tanks along a street in Manila, Luzon, Philippine Islands.
Without warning, enemy machinegun and rifle fire from concealed positions
in the Customs building swept the street, striking down the troop commander
and driving his men to cover. As the officer lay in the open road, unable
to move and completely exposed to the pointblank enemy fire, Pfc. Grabiarz
voluntarily ran from behind a tank to carry him to safety, but was himself
wounded in the shoulder. Ignoring both the pain in his injured useless
arm and his comrades' shouts to seek the cover which was only a few yards
distant, the valiant rescuer continued his efforts to drag his commander
out of range. Finding this impossible, he rejected the opportunity to save
himself and deliberately covered the officer with his own body to form
a human shield, calling as he did so for a tank to maneuver into position
between him and the hostile emplacement. The enemy riddled him with concentrated
fire before the tank could interpose itself. Our troops found that he had
been successful in preventing bullets from striking his leader, who survived.
Through his magnificent sacrifice in gallantly giving his life to save
that of his commander, Pfc. Grabiarz provided an outstanding and lasting
inspiration to his fellow soldiers.
*GRAY, ROSS FRANKLIN
- Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Company A, 1st Battalion, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division.
- Place and date: Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 21 February 1945.
- Born: August 1920, Marvel Valley, Ala.
- Accredited to: Alabama.
- Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty as a Platoon Sergeant attached to Company A, 1st Battalion,
25th Marines, 4th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces
on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 21 February 1945. Shrewdly gauging the tactical
situation when his platoon was held up by a sudden barrage of hostile grenades
while advancing toward the high ground northeast of Airfield No. 1, Sgt.
Gray promptly organized the withdrawal of his men from enemy grenade range,
quickly moved forward alone to reconnoiter and discovered a heavily mined
area extending along the front of a strong network of emplacements joined
by covered trenches. Although assailed by furious gunfire, he cleared a
path leading through the minefield to one of the fortifications, then returned
to the platoon position and, informing his leader of the serious situation,
volunteered to initiate an attack under cover of 3 fellow marines. Alone
and unarmed but carrying a huge satchel charge, he crept up on the Japanese
emplacement, boldly hurled the short-fused explosive and sealed the entrance.
Instantly taken under machinegun fire from a second entrance to the same
position, he unhesitatingly braved the increasingly vicious fusillades
to crawl back for another charge, returned to his objective and blasted
the second opening, thereby demolishing the position. Repeatedly covering
the ground between the savagely defended enemy fortifications and his platoon
area, he systematically approached, attacked and withdrew under blanketing
fire to destroy a total of 6 Japanese positions, more than 25 troops and
a quantity of vital ordnance gear and ammunition. Stouthearted and indomitable,
Sgt. Gray had single-handedly overcome a strong enemy garrison and had
completely disarmed a large minefield before finally rejoining his unit.
By his great personal valor, daring tactics and tenacious perseverance
in the face of extreme peril, he had contributed materially to the fulfillment
of his company mission. His gallant conduct throughout enhanced and sustained
the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
GREGG, STEPHEN R.
- Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 143d Infantry, 36th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Montelimar, France, 27 August 1944.
- Entered service at: Bayonne, N.J.
- Birth: New York, N.Y.
- G.O. No.: 31, 17 April 1945.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 27 August 1944, in
the vicinity of Montelimar, France. As his platoon advanced upon the enemy
positions; the leading scout was fired upon and 2d Lt. Gregg (then a Tech.
Sgt.) immediately put his machineguns into action to cover the advance
of the riflemen. The Germans, who were at close range, threw hand grenades
at the riflemen, killing some and wounding 7. Each time a medical aid man
attempted to reach the wounded, the Germans fired at him. Realizing the
seriousness of the situation, 2d Lt. Gregg took 1 of the light .30-caliber
machineguns, and firing from the hip, started boldly up the hill with the
medical aid man following him. Although the enemy was throwing hand grenades
at him, 2d Lt. Gregg remained and fired into the enemy positions while
the medical aid man removed the 7 wounded men to safety. When 2d Lt. Gregg
had expended all his ammunition, he was covered by 4 Germans who ordered
him to surrender. Since the attention of most of the Germans had been diverted
by watching this action, friendly riflemen were able to maneuver into firing
positions. One, seeing 2d Lt. Gregg's situation, opened fire on his captors.
The 4 Germans hit the ground and thereupon 2d Lt. Gregg recovered a machine
pistol from one of the Germans and managed to escape to his other machinegun
positions. He manned a gun, firing at his captors, killed 1 of them and
wounded the other. This action so discouraged the Germans that the platoon
was able to continue its advance up the hill to achieve its objective.
The following morning, just prior to daybreak, the Germans launched a strong
attack, supported by tanks, in an attempt to drive Company L from the hill.
As these tanks moved along the valley and their foot troops advanced up
the hill, 2d Lt. Gregg immediately ordered his mortars into action. During
the day by careful observation, he was able to direct effective fire on
the enemy, inflicting heavy casualties. By late afternoon he had directed
600 rounds when his communication to the mortars was knocked out. Without
hesitation he started checking his wires, although the area was under heavy
enemy small arms and artillery fire. When he was within 100 yards of his
mortar position, 1 of his men informed him that the section had been captured
and the Germans were using the mortars to fire on the company. 2d Lt. Gregg
with this man and another nearby rifleman started for the gun position
where he could see 5 Germans firing his mortars. He ordered the 2 men to
cover him, crawled up, threw a hand grenade into the position, and then
charged it. The hand grenade killed 1, injured 2, 2d Lt. Gregg took the
other 2 prisoners, and put his mortars back into action.
*GRUENNERT, KENNETH E.
- Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company L, 127th Infantry, 32d Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Buna, New Guinea, 24 December 1942.
- Entered service at: Helenville, Wis.
- Birth: Helenville, Wis.
- G.O. No.: 66, 11 October 1943.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
in action above and beyond the call of duty. On 24 December 1942, near
Buna, New Guinea, Sgt. Gruennert was second in command of a platoon with
a mission to drive through the enemy lines to the beach 600 yards ahead.
Within 150 yards of the objective, the platoon encountered 2 hostile pillboxes.
Sgt. Gruennert advanced alone on the first and put it out of action with
hand grenades and rifle fire, killing 3 of the enemy. Seriously wounded
in the shoulder, he bandaged his wound under cover of the pillbox, refusing
to withdraw to the aid station and leave his men. He then, with undiminished
daring, and under extremely heavy fire, attacked the second pillbox. As
he neared it he threw grenades which forced the enemy out where they were
easy targets for his platoon. Before the leading elements of his platoon
could reach him he was shot by enemy snipers. His inspiring valor cleared
the way for his platoon which was the first to attain the beach in this
successful effort to split the enemy position.
*GURKE, HENRY
- Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, 3d Marine Raider Battalion.
- Place and date: Empress Augusta Bay on Bougainville Island, Solomon Islands, 9 November 1943.
- Born: 6 November 1922, Neche, N. Dak.
- Accredited to: North Dakota.
- Citation:
For extraordinary heroism and courage above and beyond the call of duty
while attached to the 3d Marine Raider Battalion during action against
enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands area on 9 November 1943. While
his platoon was engaged in the defense of a vital road block near Empress
Augusta Bay on Bougainville Island. Pfc. Gurke, in company with another Marine, was delivering a fierce stream of fire against the main vanguard
of the Japanese. Concluding from the increasing ferocity of grenade barrages
that the enemy was determined to annihilate their small, 2-man foxhole,
he resorted to a bold and desperate measure for holding out despite the
torrential hail of shells. When a Japanese grenade dropped squarely into
the foxhole, Pfc. Gurke, mindful that his companion manned an automatic
weapon of superior fire power and therefore could provide more effective
resistance, thrust him roughly aside and flung his own body over the missile
to smother the explosion. With unswerving devotion to duty and superb valor,
Pfc. Gurke sacrificed himself in order that his comrade might live to carry
on the fight. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.
HALL, GEORGE J.
- Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, 135th Infantry, 34th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Anzio, Italy, 23 May 1944.
- Entered service at: Boston, Mass.
- Born: 9 January 1921, Stoneham, Mass.
- G.O. No.: 24, 6 April 1945.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at
risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Attacking across flat,
open terrain under direct enemy observation, S/Sgt. Hall's company was
pinned down by grazing fire from 3 enemy machineguns and harassing sniper
fire. S/Sgt. Hall volunteered to eliminate these obstacles in the path
of advance. Crawling along a plowed furrow through furious machinegun fire,
he made his way to a point within hand grenade range of 1 of the enemy
positions. He pounded the enemy with 4 hand grenades, and when the smoke
had died away, S/Sgt. Hall and 2 dead Germans occupied the position, while
4 of the enemy were crawling back to our lines as prisoners. Discovering
a quantity of German potato-masher grenades in the position, S/Sgt. Hall
engaged the second enemy nest in a deadly exchange of grenades. Each time
he exposed himself to throw a grenade the Germans fired machinegun bursts
at him. The vicious duel finally ended in S/Sgt. Hall's favor with 5 of
the enemy surrendered and 5 others lay dead. Turning his attention to the
third machinegun, S/Sgt. Hall left his position and crawled along a furrow,
the enemy firing frantically in an effort to halt him. As he neared his
final objective, an enemy artillery concentration fell on the area, and
S/Sgt. Hall's right leg was severed by a shellburst. With 2 enemy machineguns
eliminated, his company was able to flank the third and continue its advance
without incurring excessive casualties. S/Sgt. Hall's fearlessness, his
determined fighting spirit, and his prodigious combat skill exemplify the
heroic tradition of the American Infantryman.
*HALL, LEWIS
- Rank and organization: Technician Fifth Grade, U.S. Army, Company M, 35th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Mount Austen, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, 10 January 1943.
- Entered service at: Obetz, Rural Station 7, Columbus, Ohio.
- Born: 1895, Bloom, Ohio.
- G.O. No.: 28, 5 June 1943.
- Citation: For gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty.
As leader of a machinegun squad charged with the protection of other battalion
units, his group was attacked by a superior number of Japanese, his gunner
killed, his assistant gunner wounded, and an adjoining guncrew put out
of action. Ordered to withdraw from his hazardous position, he refused
to retire but rushed forward to the idle gun and with the aid of another
soldier who joined him and held up the machinegun by the tripod to increase
its field of action he opened fire and inflicted heavy casualties upon
the enemy. While so engaged both these gallant soldiers were killed, but
their sturdy defense was a decisive factor in the following success of
the attacking battalion.
HALL, WILLIAM E.
- Rank and organization: Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Naval Reserve.
- Place and date: Coral Sea, 7-8 May 1942.
- Entered service at: Utah.
- Born: 31 October 1913, Storrs, Utah.
- Citation: For extreme courage and
conspicuous heroism in combat above and beyond the call of duty as pilot
of a scouting plane in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Coral
Sea on 7 and 8 May 1942. In a resolute and determined attack on 7 May,
Lt. (j.g.) Hall dived his plane at an enemy Japanese aircraft carrier,
contributing materially to the destruction of that vessel. On 8 May, facing
heavy and fierce fighter opposition, he again displayed extraordinary skill
as an airman and the aggressive spirit of a fighter in repeated and effectively
executed counterattacks against a superior number of enemy planes in which
3 enemy aircraft were destroyed. Though seriously wounded in this engagement,
Lt. (j.g.) Hall, maintaining the fearless and indomitable tactics pursued
throughout these actions, succeeded in landing his plane safe.
*HALLMAN, SHERWOOD H.
- Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, 175th Infantry, 29th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Brest, Brittany, France, 13 September 1944.
- Entered service at: Spring City, Pa.
- Birth: Spring City, Pa.
- G.O. No.: 31, 17 April 1945.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. On 13 September
1944, in Brittany, France, the 2d Battalion in its attack on the fortified
city of Brest was held up by a strongly defended enemy position which had
prevented its advance despite repeated attacks extending over a 3-day period.
Finally, Company F advanced to within several hundred yards of the enemy
position but was again halted by intense fire. Realizing that the position
must be neutralized without delay, S/Sgt. Hallman ordered his squad to
cover his movements with fire while he advanced alone to a point from which
he could make the assault. Without hesitating, S/Sgt. Hallman leaped over
a hedgerow into a sunken road, the central point of the German defenses
which was known to contain an enemy machinegun position and at least 30
enemy riflemen. Firing his carbine and hurling grenades, S/Sgt. Hallman,
unassisted, killed or wounded 4 of the enemy, then ordered the remainder
to surrender. Immediately, 12 of the enemy surrendered and the position
was shortly secured by the remainder of his company. Seeing the surrender
of this position, about 75 of the enemy in the vicinity surrendered, yielding
a defensive organization which the battalion with heavy supporting fires
had been unable to take. This single heroic act on the part of S/Sgt. Hallman
resulted in the immediate advance of the entire battalion for a distance
of 2,000 yards to a position from which Fort Keranroux was captured later
the same day. S/Sgt. Hallman's fighting determination and intrepidity in
battle exemplify the highest tradition of the U.S. Armed Forces.
*HALYBURTON, WILLIAM DAVID, JR.
- Rank and organization: Pharmacist's Mate Second Class, U.S. Naval Reserve, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division.
- Place and date: Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Chain, 10 May 1945.
- Born: 2 August 1924, Canton, N.C.
- Accredited to: North Carolina.
- Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty while serving with a Marine Rifle Company in
the 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, during action against
enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, 10 May 1945.
Undaunted by the deadly accuracy of Japanese counterfire as his unit pushed
the attack through a strategically important draw, Halyburton unhesitatingly
dashed across the draw and up the hill into an open fire-swept field where
the company advance squad was suddenly pinned down under a terrific concentration
of mortar, machinegun and sniper fire with resultant severe casualties.
Moving steadily forward despite the enemy's merciless barrage, he reached
the wounded marine who lay farthest away and was rendering first aid when
his patient was struck for the second time by a Japanese bullet. Instantly
placing himself in the direct line of fire, he shielded the fallen fighter
with his own body and staunchly continued his ministrations although constantly
menaced by the slashing fury of shrapnel and bullets falling on all sides.
Alert, determined and completely unselfish in his concern for the helpless
marine, he persevered in his efforts until he himself sustained mortal
wounds and collapsed, heroically sacrificing himself that his comrade might
live. By his outstanding valor and unwavering devotion to duty in the face
of tremendous odds, Halyburton sustained and enhanced the highest traditions
of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of
his country.
HAMILTON, PIERPONT M.
- Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army Air Corps.
- Place and date: Near Port Lyautey, French Morocco, 8 November 1942.
- Entered service at: New York, N.Y.
- Born: 3 August 1898, Tuxedo Park, N.Y.
- G.O. No.: 4, 23 January 1943.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above
and beyond the call of duty. On 8 November 1942, near Port Lyautey, French
Morocco, Lt. Col. Hamilton volunteered to accompany Col. Demas Craw on
a dangerous mission to the French commander, designed to bring about a
cessation of hostilities. Driven away from the mouth of the Sebou River
by heavy shelling from all sides, the landing boat was finally beached
at Mehdia Plage despite continuous machinegun fire from 3 low-flying hostile
planes. Driven in a light truck toward French headquarters, this courageous
mission encountered intermittent firing, and as it neared Port Lyautey
a heavy burst of machinegun fire was delivered upon the truck from pointblank
range, killing Col. Craw instantly. Although captured immediately, after
this incident, Lt. Col. Hamilton completed the mission .
*HAMMERBERG, OWEN FRANCIS PATRICK
- Rank and organization: Boatswain's Mate Second Class, U.S. Navy.
- Place and date: West Loch, Pearl Harbor, 17 February 1945.
- Born: 31 May 1920, Daggett, Mich.
- Accredited to: Michigan.
- Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty as a diver engaged in rescue operations at West Loch, Pearl
Harbor, 17 February 1945. Aware of the danger when 2 fellow divers were
hopelessly trapped in a cave-in of steel wreckage while tunneling with
jet nozzles under an LST sunk in 40 feet of water and 20 feet of mud. Hammerberg
unhesitatingly went overboard in a valiant attempt to effect their rescue
despite the certain hazard of additional cave-ins and the risk of fouling
his lifeline on jagged pieces of steel imbedded in the shifting mud. Washing
a passage through the original excavation, he reached the first of the
trapped men, freed him from the wreckage and, working desperately in pitch-black
darkness, finally effected his release from fouled lines, thereby enabling
him to reach the surface. Wearied but undaunted after several hours of
arduous labor, Hammerberg resolved to continue his struggle to wash through
the oozing submarine, subterranean mud in a determined effort to save the
second diver. Venturing still farther under the buried hulk, he held tenaciously
to his purpose, reaching a place immediately above the other man just as
another cave-in occurred and a heavy piece of steel pinned him crosswise
over his shipmate in a position which protected the man beneath from further
injury while placing the full brunt of terrific pressure on himself. Although
he succumbed in agony 18 hours after he had gone to the aid of his fellow
divers, Hammerberg, by his cool judgment, unfaltering professional skill
and consistent disregard of all personal danger in the face of tremendous
odds, had contributed effectively to the saving of his 2 comrades. His
heroic spirit of self-sacrifice throughout enhanced and sustained the highest
traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the
service of his country.
*HANSEN, DALE MERLIN
- Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps, Company E, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division.
- Place and date: Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Chain, 7 May 1945.
- Born: 13 December 1922, Wisner, Nebr.
- Accredited to: Nebraska.
- Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima
in the Ryukyu Chain, 7 May 1945. Cool and courageous in combat, Pvt. Hansen
unhesitatingly took the initiative during a critical stage of the action
and, armed with a rocket launcher, crawled to an exposed position where
he attacked and destroyed a strategically located hostile pillbox. With
his weapon subsequently destroyed by enemy fire, he seized a rifle and
continued his 1-man assault. Reaching the crest of a ridge, he leaped across,
opened fire on 6 Japanese and killed 4 before his rifle jammed. Attacked
by the remaining 2 Japanese, he beat them off with the butt of his rifle
and then climbed back to cover. Promptly returning with another weapon
and supply of grenades, he fearlessly advanced, destroyed a strong mortar
position and annihilated 8 more of the enemy. In the forefront of battle
throughout this bitterly waged engagement, Pvt. Hansen, by his indomitable
determination, bold tactics and complete disregard of all personal danger,
contributed essentially to the success of his company's mission and to
the ultimate capture of this fiercely defended outpost of the Japanese
Empire. His great personal valor in the face of extreme peril reflects
the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service.
*HANSON, ROBERT MURRAY
- Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, VMF-215.
- Place and date: Bougainville Island, Solomon Islands, 1 November 1943 and New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago, 24 January 1944.
- Born: 4 February 1920, Lucknow, India.
- Accredited to: Massachusetts.
- Other Navy awards: Navy Cross, Air Medal.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of his life and above and beyond the call of
duty as fighter pilot attached to Marine Fighting Squadron 215 in action
against enemy Japanese forces at Bougainville Island, 1 November 1943;
and New Britain Island, 24 January 1944. Undeterred by fierce opposition,
and fearless in the face of overwhelming odds, 1st Lt. Hanson fought the
Japanese boldly and with daring aggressiveness. On 1 November, while flying
cover for our landing operations at Empress Augusta Bay, he dauntlessly
attacked 6 enemy torpedo bombers, forcing them to jettison their bombs
and destroying 1 Japanese plane during the action. Cut off from his division
while deep in enemy territory during a high cover flight over Simpson Harbor
on 24 January, 1st Lt. Hanson waged a lone and gallant battle against hostile
interceptors as they were orbiting to attack our bombers and, striking
with devastating fury, brought down 4 Zeroes and probably a fifth. Handling
his plane superbly in both pursuit and attack measures, he was a master
of individual air combat, accounting for a total of 25 Japanese aircraft
in this theater of war. His great personal valor and invincible fighting
spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
*HARMON, ROY W.
- Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company C, 362d Infantry, 91st Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Casaglia, Italy, 12 July 1944.
- Entered service at: Pixley, Calif.
- Birth: Talala, Okla.
- G.O. No.: 83, 2 October 1945.
- Citation: He was an acting squad leader when heavy machinegun
fire from enemy positions, well dug in on commanding ground and camouflaged
by haystacks, stopped his company's advance and pinned down 1 platoon where
it was exposed to almost certain annihilation. Ordered to rescue the beleaguered
platoon by neutralizing the German automatic fire, he led his squad forward
along a draw to the right of the trapped unit against 3 key positions which
poured murderous fire into his helpless comrades. When within range, his
squad fired tracer bullets in an attempt to set fire to the 3 haystacks
which were strung out in a loose line directly to the front, 75, 150, and
250 yards away. Realizing that this attack was ineffective, Sgt. Harmon
ordered his squad to hold their position and voluntarily began a 1-man
assault. Carrying white phosphorus grenades and a submachine gun, he skillfully
took advantage of what little cover the terrain afforded and crept to within
25 yards of the first position. He set the haystack afire with a grenade,
and when 2 of the enemy attempted to flee from the inferno, he killed them
with his submachine gun. Crawling toward the second machinegun emplacement,
he attracted fire and was wounded; but he continued to advance and destroyed
the position with hand grenades, killing the occupants. He then attacked
the third machinegun, running to a small knoll, then crawling over ground
which offered no concealment or cover. About halfway to his objective,
he was again wounded. But he struggled ahead until within 20 yards of the
machinegun nest, where he raised himself to his knees to throw a grenade.
He was knocked down by direct enemy fire. With a final, magnificent effort,
he again arose, hurled the grenade and fell dead, riddled by bullets. His
missile fired the third position, destroying it. Sgt. Harmon's extraordinary
heroism, gallantry, and self-sacrifice saved a platoon from being wiped
out, and made it possible for his company to advance against powerful enemy
resistance.
*HARR, HARRY R.
- Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company D, 124th Infantry, 31st Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Maglamin, Mindanao, Philippine Islands, 5 June 1945.
- Entered service at: East Freedom, Pa.
- Birth: Pine Croft, Pa.
- G.O. No.: 28, 28 March 1946.
- Citation: He displayed conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity. In a fierce counterattack, the Japanese closed
in on his machinegun emplacement, hurling hand grenades, 1 of which exploded
under the gun, putting it out of action and wounding 2 of the crew. While
the remaining gunners were desperately attempting to repair their weapon
another grenade landed squarely in the emplacement. Quickly realizing he
could not safely throw the unexploded missile from the crowded position,
Cpl. Harr unhesitatingly covered it with his body to smother the blast.
His supremely courageous act, which cost him his life, saved 4 of his comrades
and enabled them to continue their mission.
HARRELL, WILLIAM GEORGE
- Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, 1st Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division.
- Place and date: Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 3 March 1945.
- Entered service at: Mercedes, Tex.
- Born: 26 June 1922, Rio Grande City, Tex.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at
the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as leader of an
assault group attached to the 1st Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division
during hand-to-hand combat with enemy Japanese at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands,
on 3 March 1945. Standing watch alternately with another marine in a terrain
studded with caves and ravines, Sgt. Harrell was holding a position in
a perimeter defense around the company command post when Japanese troops
infiltrated our lines in the early hours of dawn. Awakened by a sudden
attack, he quickly opened fire with his carbine and killed 2 of the enemy
as they emerged from a ravine in the light of a star shellburst. Unmindful
of his danger as hostile grenades fell closer, he waged a fierce lone battle
until an exploding missile tore off his left hand and fractured his thigh.
He was vainly attempting to reload the carbine when his companion returned
from the command post with another weapon. Wounded again by a Japanese
who rushed the foxhole wielding a saber in the darkness, Sgt. Harrell succeeded
in drawing his pistol and killing his opponent and then ordered his wounded
companion to a place of safety. Exhausted by profuse bleeding but still
unbeaten, he fearlessly met the challenge of 2 more enemy troops who charged
his position and placed a grenade near his head. Killing 1 man with his
pistol, he grasped the sputtering grenade with his good right hand, and,
pushing it painfully toward the crouching soldier, saw his remaining assailant
destroyed but his own hand severed in the explosion. At dawn Sgt. Harrell
was evacuated from a position hedged by the bodies of 12 dead Japanese,
at least 5 of whom he had personally destroyed in his self-sacrificing
defense of the command post. His grim fortitude, exceptional valor, and
indomitable fighting spirit against almost insurmountable odds reflect
the highest credit upon himself and enhance the finest traditions of the
U.S. Naval Service.
*HARRIS, JAMES L.
- Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 756th Tank Battalion.
- Place and date: At Vagney, France, 7 October 1944.
- Entered service at: Hillsboro, Tex.
- Birth: Hillsboro, Tex.
- G.O. No.: 32, 23 April 1945.
- Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond
the call of duty on 7 October 1944, in Vagney, France. At 9 p.m. an enemy
raiding party, comprising a tank and 2 platoons of infantry, infiltrated
through the lines under cover of mist and darkness and attacked an infantry
battalion command post with hand grenades, retiring a short distance to
an ambush position on hearing the approach of the M-4 tank commanded by
2d Lt. Harris. Realizing the need for bold aggressive action, 2d Lt. Harris
ordered his tank to halt while he proceeded on foot, fully 10 yards ahead
of his 6-man patrol and armed only with a service pistol, to probe the
darkness for the enemy. Although struck down and mortally wounded by machinegun
bullets which penetrated his solar plexus, he crawled back to his tank,
leaving a trail of blood behind him, and, too weak to climb inside it,
issued fire orders while lying on the road between the 2 contending armored
vehicles. Although the tank which he commanded was destroyed in the course
of the fire fight, he stood the enemy off until friendly tanks, preparing
to come to his aid, caused the enemy to withdraw and thereby lose an opportunity
to kill or capture the entire battalion command personnel. Suffering a
second wound, which severed his leg at the hip, in the course of this tank
duel, 2d Lt. Harris refused aid until after a wounded member of his crew
had been carried to safety. He died before he could be given medical attention.
*HASTINGS, JOE R.
- Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company C, 386th Infantry, 97th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Drabenderhohe, Germany, 12 April 1945.
- Entered service at: Magnolia, Ohio.
- Birth: Malvern, Ohio.
- G.O. No.: 101, 8 November 1945.
- Citation: He fought gallantly during an
attack against strong enemy forces defending Drabenderhohe, Germany, from
the dug-in positions on commanding ground. As squad leader of a light machinegun
section supporting the advance of the 1st and 3d Platoons, he braved direct
rifle, machinegun, 20mm., and mortar fire, some of which repeatedly missed
him only by inches, and rushed forward over 350 yards of open, rolling
fields to reach a position from which he could fire on the enemy troops.
From this vantage point he killed the crews of a 20mm. gun and a machinegun,
drove several enemy riflemen from their positions, and so successfully
shielded the 1st Platoon, that it had time to reorganize and remove its
wounded to safety. Observing that the 3d Platoon to his right was being
met by very heavy 40mm. and machinegun fire, he ran 150 yards with his
gun to the leading elements of that unit, where he killed the crew of the
40mm. gun. As spearhead of the 3d Platoon's attack, he advanced, firing
his gun held at hip height, disregarding the bullets that whipped past
him, until the assault had carried 175 yards to the objective. In this
charge he and the riflemen he led killed or wounded many of the fanatical
enemy and put 2 machineguns out of action. Pfc. Hastings, by his intrepidity,
outstanding leadership, and unrelenting determination to wipe out the formidable
German opposition, cleared the path for his company's advance into Drabenderhohe.
He was killed 4 days later while again supporting the 3d Platoon.
*HAUGE, LOUIS JAMES, JR.
- Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division.
- Place and date: Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Chain on 14 May 1945.
- Born: 12 December 1924, Ada, Minn.
- Accredited to: Minnesota.
- Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty as leader of a machinegun squad serving with Company C, 1st
Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese
forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain on 14 May 1945. Alert and aggressive
during a determined assault against a strongly fortified Japanese hill
position, Cpl. Hauge boldly took the initiative when his company's left
flank was pinned down under a heavy machinegun and mortar barrage with
resultant severe casualties and, quickly locating the 2 machineguns which
were delivering the uninterrupted stream of enfilade fire, ordered his
squad to maintain a covering barrage as he rushed across an exposed area
toward the furiously blazing enemy weapons. Although painfully wounded
as he charged the first machinegun, he launched a vigorous single-handed
grenade attack, destroyed the entire hostile gun position and moved relentlessly
forward toward the other emplacement despite his wounds and the increasingly
heavy Japanese fire. Undaunted by the savage opposition, he again hurled
his deadly grenades with unerring aim and succeeded in demolishing the
second enemy gun before he fell under the slashing fury of Japanese sniper
fire. By his ready grasp of the critical situation and his heroic 1-man
assault tactics, Cpl. Hauge had eliminated 2 strategically placed enemy
weapons, thereby releasing the besieged troops from an overwhelming volume
of hostile fire and enabling his company to advance. His indomitable fighting
spirit and decisive valor in the face of almost certain death reflect the
highest credit upon Cpl. Hauge and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly
gave his life in the service of his country.
HAWK, JOHN D.
- Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company E, 359th Infantry, 90th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Chambois, France, 20 August 1944.
- Entered service at: Bremerton, Wash.
- Birth: San Francisco, Calif.
- G.O. No.: 55, 13 July 1945.
- Citation: He manned a light machinegun on 20
August 1944, near Chambois, France, a key point in the encirclement which
created the Falaise Pocket. During an enemy counterattack, his position
was menaced by a strong force of tanks and infantry. His fire forced the
infantry to withdraw, but an artillery shell knocked out his gun and wounded
him in the right thigh. Securing a bazooka, he and another man stalked
the tanks and forced them to retire to a wooded section. In the lull which
followed, Sgt. Hawk reorganized 2 machinegun squads and, in the face of
intense enemy fire, directed the assembly of 1 workable weapon from 2 damaged
guns. When another enemy assault developed, he was forced to pull back
from the pressure of spearheading armor. Two of our tank destroyers were
brought up. Their shots were ineffective because of the terrain until Sgt.
Hawk, despite his wound, boldly climbed to an exposed position on a knoll
where, unmoved by fusillades from the enemy, he became a human aiming stake
for the destroyers. Realizing that his shouted fire directions could not
be heard above the noise of battle, he ran back to the destroyers through
a concentration of bullets and shrapnel to correct the range. He returned
to his exposed position, repeating this performance until 2 of the tanks
were knocked out and a third driven off. Still at great risk, he continued
to direct the destroyers' fire into the Germans' wooded position until
the enemy came out and surrendered. Sgt. Hawk's fearless initiative and
heroic conduct, even while suffering from a painful wound, was in large
measure responsible for crushing 2 desperate attempts of the enemy to escape
from the Falaise Picket and for taking more than 500 prisoners.
*HAWKINS, WILLIAM DEAN
- Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps.
- Place and date: Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, 20 and 21 November 1943.
- Born: 19 .April 1914, Fort Scott, Kans.
- Appointed from: El Paso, Tex.
- Citation:
For valorous and gallant conduct above and beyond the call of duty as commanding
officer of a Scout Sniper Platoon attached to the Assault Regiment in action
against Japanese-held Tarawa in the Gilbert Island, 20 and 21 November
1943. The first to disembark from the jeep lighter, 1st Lt. Hawkins unhesitatingly
moved forward under heavy enemy fire at the end of the Betio Pier, neutralizing
emplacements in coverage of troops assaulting the main beach positions.
Fearlessly leading his men on to join the forces fighting desperately to
gain a beachhead, he repeatedly risked his life throughout the day and
night to direct and lead attacks on pillboxes and installations with grenades
and demolitions. At dawn on the following day, 1st Lt. Hawkins resumed
the dangerous mission of clearing the limited beachhead of Japanese resistance,
personally initiating an assault on a hostile position fortified by S enemy
machineguns, and, crawling forward in the face of withering fire, boldly
fired pointblank into the loopholes and completed the destruction with
grenades. Refusing to withdraw after being seriously wounded in the chest
during this skirmish, 1st Lt. Hawkins steadfastly carried the fight to
the enemy, destroying 3 more pillboxes before he was caught in a burst
of Japanese shellfire and mortally wounded. His relentless fighting spirit
in the face of formidable opposition and his exceptionally daring tactics
served as an inspiration to his comrades during the most crucial phase
of the battle and reflect the highest credit upon the U.S. Naval Service.
He gallantly gave his life for his country.
HAWKS, LLOYD C.
- Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Medical Detachment, 30th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Carano, Italy, 30 January 1944.
- Entered service at: Park Rapids, Minn.
- Born: 13 January 1911, Becker, Minn.
- G.O. No.: 5, 15 January 1945.
- Citation: For gallantry
and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. On 30
January 1944, at 3 p.m., near Carano, Italy, Pfc. Hawks braved an enemy
counterattack in order to rescue 2 wounded men who, unable to move, were
Iying in an exposed position within 30 yards of the enemy. Two riflemen,
attempting the rescue, had been forced to return to their fighting holes
by extremely severe enemy machinegun fire, after crawling only 10 yards
toward the casualties. An aid man, whom the enemy could plainly identify
as such, had been critically wounded in a similar attempt. Pfc. Hawks,
nevertheless, crawled 50 yards through a veritable hail of machinegun bullets
and flying mortar fragments to a small ditch, administered first aid to
his fellow aid man who had sought cover therein, and continued toward the
2 wounded men 50 yards distant. An enemy machinegun bullet penetrated his
helmet, knocking it from his head, momentarily stunning him. Thirteen bullets
passed through his helmet as it lay on the ground within 6 inches of his
body. Pfc. Hawks, crawled to the casualties, administered first aid to
the more seriously wounded man and dragged him to a covered position 25
yards distant. Despite continuous automatic fire from positions only 30
yards away and shells which exploded within 25 yards, Pfc. Hawks returned
to the second man and administered first aid to him. As he raised himself
to obtain bandages from his medical kit his right hip was shattered by
a burst of machinegun fire and a second burst splintered his left forearm.
Displaying dogged determination and extreme self-control, Pfc. Hawks, despite
severe pain and his dangling left arm, completed the task of bandaging
the remaining casualty and with superhuman effort dragged him to the same
depression to which he had brought the first man. Finding insufficient
cover for 3 men at this point, Pfc. Hawks crawled 75 yards in an effort
to regain his company, reaching the ditch in which his fellow aid man was
lying.
*HEDRICK, CLINTON M.
- Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company I, 194th Glider Infantry, 17th Airborne Division.
- Place and date: Near Lembeck, Germany, 27-28 March 1945.
- Entered service at: Riverton, W. Va.
- Birth: Cherrygrove, W. Va.
- G.O. No.: 89, 19 October 1945.
- Citation: He displayed
extraordinary heroism and gallantry in action on 2728 March 1945, in Germany.
Following an airborne landing near Wesel, his unit was assigned as the
assault platoon for the assault on Lembeck. Three times the landing elements
were pinned down by intense automatic weapons fire from strongly defended
positions. Each time, T/Sgt. Hedrick fearlessly charged through heavy fire,
shooting his automatic rifle from his hip. His courageous action so inspired
his men that they reduced the enemy positions in rapid succession. When
6 of the enemy attempted a surprise, flanking movement, he quickly turned
and killed the entire party with a burst of fire. Later, the enemy withdrew
across a moat into Lembeck Castle. T/Sgt. Hedrick, with utter disregard
for his own safety, plunged across the drawbridge alone in pursuit. When
a German soldier, with hands upraised, declared the garrison wished to
surrender, he entered the castle yard with 4 of his men to accept the capitulation.
The group moved through a sally port, and was met by fire from a German
self-propelled gun. Although mortally wounded, T/Sgt. Hedrick fired at
the enemy gun and covered the withdrawal of his comrades. He died while
being evacuated after the castle was taken. His great personal courage
and heroic leadership contributed in large measure to the speedy capture
of Lembeck and provided an inspiring example to his comrades.
HENDRIX, JAMES R.
- Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company C, 53d Armored Infantry Battalion, 4th Armored Division.
- Place and date: Near Assenois, Belgium, 26 December 1944.
- Entered service at: Lepanto, Ark.
- Birth: Lepanto, Ark.
- G.O. No.: 74, 1 September 1945.
- Citation: On the night of 26 December 1944,
near Assenois, Belgium, he was with the leading element engaged in the
final thrust to break through to the besieged garrison at Bastogne when
halted by a fierce combination of artillery and small arms fire. He dismounted
from his half-track and advanced against two 88mm. guns, and, by the ferocity
of his rifle fire, compelled the guncrews to take cover and then to surrender.
Later in the attack he again left his vehicle, voluntarily, to aid 2 wounded
soldiers, helpless and exposed to intense machinegun fire. Effectively
silencing 2 hostile machineguns, he held off the enemy by his own fire
until the wounded men were evacuated. Pvt. Hendrix again distinguished
himself when he hastened to the aid of still another soldier who was trapped
in a burning half-track. Braving enemy sniper fire and exploding mines
and ammunition in the vehicle, he extricated the wounded man and extinguished
his flaming clothing, thereby saving the life of his fellow soldier. Pvt.
Hendrix, by his superb courage and heroism, exemplified the highest traditions
of the military service.
*HENRY, ROBERT T.
- Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Luchem, Germany, 3 December 1944.
- Entered service
at: Greenville, Miss.
- Birth: Greenville, Miss.
- G.O. No.: 45, 12 June 1945.
- Citation: Near Luchem, Germany, he volunteered to attempt the destruction
of a nest of 5 enemy machineguns located in a bunker 150 yards to the flank
which had stopped the advance of his platoon. Stripping off his pack, overshoes,
helmet, and overcoat, he sprinted alone with his rifle and hand grenades
across the open terrain toward the enemy emplacement. Before he had gone
half the distance he was hit by a burst of machinegun fire. Dropping his
rifle, he continued to stagger forward until he fell mortally wounded only
10 yards from the enemy emplacement. His single-handed attack forced the
enemy to leave the machineguns. During this break in hostile fire the platoon
moved forward and overran the position. Pvt. Henry, by his gallantry and
intrepidity and utter disregard for his own life, enabled his company to
reach its objective, capturing this key defense and 70 German prisoners.
HERRERA, SILVESTRE S.
- Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company E, 142d Infantry, 36th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Mertzwiller, France, 15 March 1945.
- Entered service at: Phoenix, Ariz.
- Birth: El Paso, Tex.
- G.O. No.: 75, 5 September 1945.
- Citation: He advanced with a platoon along
a wooded road until stopped by heavy enemy machinegun fire. As the rest
of the unit took cover, he made a 1-man frontal assault on a strongpoint
and captured 8 enemy soldiers. When the platoon resumed its advance and
was subjected to fire from a second emplacement beyond an extensive minefield,
Pvt. Herrera again moved forward, disregarding the danger of exploding
mines, to attack the position. He stepped on a mine and had both feet severed
but, despite intense pain and unchecked loss of blood, he pinned down the
enemy with accurate rifle fire while a friendly squad captured the enemy
gun by skirting the minefield and rushing in from the flank. The magnificent
courage, extraordinary heroism, and willing self-sacrifice displayed by
Pvt. Herrera resulted in the capture of 2 enemy strongpoints and the taking
of 8 prisoners.
HERRING, RUFUS G.
- Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Naval Reserve, LCI (G) 449.
- Place and date: Iwo Jima, 17 February 1945.
- Entered service at: North Carolina.
- Born: 11 June 1921, Roseboro, N.C.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty
as commanding officer of LCI (G) 449 operating as a unit of LCI (G) Group
8, during the preinvasion attack on Iwo Jima on 17 February 1945. Boldly
closing the strongly fortified shores under the devastating fire of Japanese
coastal defense guns, Lt. (then Lt. (j.g.)) Herring directed shattering
barrages of 40mm. and 20mm. gunfire against hostile beaches until struck
down by the enemy's savage counterfire which blasted the 449's heavy guns
and whipped her decks into sheets of flame. Regaining consciousness despite
profuse bleeding he was again critically wounded when a Japanese mortar
crashed the conning station, instantly killing or fatally wounding most
of the officers and leaving the ship wallowing without navigational control.
Upon recovering the second time, Lt. Herring resolutely climbed down to
the pilothouse and, fighting against his rapidly waning strength, took
over the helm, established communication with the engineroom, and carried
on valiantly until relief could be obtained. When no longer able to stand,
he propped himself against empty shell cases and rallied his men to the
aid of the wounded; he maintained position in the firing line with his
20mm. guns in action in the face of sustained enemy fire, and conned his
crippled ship to safety. His unwavering fortitude, aggressive perseverance,
and indomitable spirit against terrific odds reflect the highest credit
upon Lt. Herring and uphold the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
*HILL, EDWIN JOSEPH
- Rank and organization: Chief Boatswain, U.S. Navy, U.S.S. Nevada.
- Place and date: Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941.
- Born: 4 October 1894, Philadelphia, Pa.
- Accredited to: Pennsylvania.
- Citation: For distinguished
conduct in the line of his profession, extraordinary courage, and disregard
of his own safety during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, by Japanese
forces on 7 December 1941. During the height of the strafing and bombing,
Chief Boatswain Hill led his men of the linehandling details of the U.S.S.
Nevada to the quays, cast off the lines and swam back to his ship. Later,
while on the forecastle, attempting to let go the anchors, he was blown
overboard and killed by the explosion of several bombs.
HORNER, FREEMAN V.
- Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company K, 119th Infantry, 30th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Wurselen, Germany, 16 November 1944.
- Entered service at: Shamokin, Pa.
- Birth: Mount Carmel, Pa.
- G.O. No.:
95, 30 October 1945.
- Citation: S/Sgt. Horner and other members of his company
were attacking Wurselen, Germany, against stubborn resistance on 16 November
1944, when machinegun fire from houses on the edge of the town pinned the
attackers in flat, open terrain 100 yards from their objective. As they
lay in the field, enemy artillery observers directed fire upon them, causing
serious casualties. Realizing that the machineguns must be eliminated in
order to permit the company to advance from its precarious position, S/Sgt.
Horner voluntarily stood up with his submachine gun and rushed into the
teeth of concentrated fire, burdened by a heavy load of ammunition and
hand grenades. Just as he reached a position of seeming safety, he was
fired on by a machinegun which had remained silent up until that time.
He coolly wheeled in his fully exposed position while bullets barely missed
him and killed 2 hostile gunners with a single, devastating burst. He turned
to face the fire of the other 2 machineguns, and dodging fire as he ran,
charged the 2 positions 50 yards away. Demoralized by their inability to
hit the intrepid infantryman, the enemy abandoned their guns and took cover
in the cellar of the house they occupied. S/Sgt. Horner burst into the
building, hurled 2 grenades down the cellar stairs, and called for the
Germans to surrender. Four men gave up to him. By his extraordinary courage,
S/Sgt. Horner destroyed 3 enemy machinegun positions, killed or captured
7 enemy, and cleared the path for his company's successful assault on Wurselen.
HOWARD, JAMES H. (Air Mission)
- Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Air Corps.
- Place and date: Over Oschersleben, Germany, 11 January 1944.
- Entered service at: St. Louis, Mo.
- Birth: Canton, China.
- G.O. No.: 45, 5 June 1944.
- Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of
duty in action with the enemy near Oschersleben, Germany, on 11 January
1944. On that day Col. Howard was the leader of a group of P51 aircraft
providing support for a heavy bomber formation on a long-range mission
deep in enemy territory. As Col. Howard's group met the bombers in the
target area the bomber force was attacked by numerous enemy fighters. Col.
Howard, with his group, and at once engaged the enemy and himself destroyed
a German ME. 110. As a result of this attack Col. Howard lost contact with
his group, and at once returned to the level of the bomber formation. He
then saw that the bombers were being heavily attacked by enemy airplanes
and that no other friendly fighters were at hand. While Col. Howard could
have waited to attempt to assemble his group before engaging the enemy,
he chose instead to attack single-handed a formation of more than 30 German
airplanes. With utter disregard for his own safety he immediately pressed
home determined attacks for some 30 minutes, during which time he destroyed
3 enemy airplanes and probably destroyed and damaged others. Toward the
end of this engagement 3 of his guns went out of action and his fuel supply
was becoming dangerously low. Despite these handicaps and the almost insuperable
odds against him, Col. Howard continued his aggressive action in an attempt
to protect the bombers from the numerous fighters. His skill, courage,
and intrepidity on this occasion set an example of heroism which will be
an inspiration to the U.S. Armed Forces.
HUFF, PAUL B.
- Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion.
- Place and date: Near Carano, Italy, 8 February 1944.
- Entered service at: Cleveland, Tenn.
- Birth: Cleveland, Tenn.
- G.O. No.: 41, 26 May 1944.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life
above and beyond the call of duty, in action on 8 February 1944, near Carano,
Italy. Cpl. Huff volunteered to lead a 6-man patrol with the mission of
determining the location and strength of an enemy unit which was delivering
fire on the exposed right flank of his company. The terrain over which
he had to travel consisted of exposed, rolling ground, affording the enemy
excellent visibility. As the patrol advanced, its members were subjected
to small arms and machinegun fire and a concentration of mortar fire, shells
bursting within 5 to 10 yards of them and bullets striking the ground at
their feet. Moving ahead of his patrol, Cpl. Huff drew fire from 3 enemy
machineguns and a 20mm. weapon. Realizing the danger confronting his patrol,
he advanced alone under deadly fire through a minefield and arrived at
a point within 75 yards of the nearest machinegun position. Under direct
fire from the rear machinegun, he crawled the remaining 75 yards to the
closest emplacement, killed the crew with his submachine gun and destroyed
the gun. During this act he fired from a kneeling position which drew fire
from other positions, enabling him to estimate correctly the strength and
location of the enemy. Still under concentrated fire, he returned to his
patrol and led his men to safety. As a result of the information he gained,
a patrol in strength sent out that afternoon, 1 group under the leadership
of Cpl. Huff, succeeded in routing an enemy company of 125 men, killing
27 Germans and capturing 21 others, with a loss of only 3 patrol members.
Cpl. Huff's intrepid leadership and daring combat skill reflect the finest
traditions of the American infantryman.
*HUGHES, LLOYD H. (Air Mission)
- Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 564th Bomber Squadron, 389th Bomber Group, 9th Air Force.
- Place and date: Ploesti Raid, Rumania, 1 August 1943.
- Entered service at: San Antonio, Tex.
- Born: 12 July 1921, Alexandria, La.
- G.O. No.: 17, 26 February 1944.
- Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry in action and intrepidity at the risk of his
life above and beyond the call of duty. On August 1943, 2d Lt. Hughes served
in the capacity of pilot of a heavy bombardment aircraft participating
in a long and hazardous minimum-altitude attack against the Axis oil refineries
of Ploesti, Rumania, launched from the northern shores of Africa. Flying
in the last formation to attack the target, he arrived in the target area
after previous flights had thoroughly alerted the enemy defenses. Approaching
the target through intense and accurate antiaircraft fire and dense balloon
barrages at dangerously low altitude, his plane received several direct
hits from both large and small caliber antiaircraft guns which seriously
damaged his aircraft, causing sheets of escaping gasoline to stream from
the bomb bay and from the left wing. This damage was inflicted at a time
prior to reaching the target when 2d Lt. Hughes could have made a forced
landing in any of the grain fields readily available at that time. The
target area was blazing with burning oil tanks and damaged refinery installations
from which flames leaped high above the bombing level of the formation.
With full knowledge of the consequences of entering this blazing inferno
when his airplane was profusely leaking gasoline in two separate locations,
2d Lt. Hughes, motivated only by his high conception of duty which called
for the destruction of his assigned target at any cost, did not elect to
make a forced landing or turn back from the attack. Instead, rather than
jeopardize the formation and the success of the attack, he unhesitatingly
entered the blazing area and dropped his bomb load with great precision.
After successfully bombing the objective, his aircraft emerged from the
conflagration with the left wing aflame. Only then did he attempt a forced
landing, but because of the advanced stage of the fire enveloping his aircraft
the plane crashed and was consumed. By 2d Lt. Hughes' heroic decision to
complete his mission regardless of the consequences in utter disregard
of his own life, and by his gallant and valorous execution of this decision,
he has rendered a service to our country in the defeat of our enemies which
will everlastingly be outstanding in the annals of our Nation's history.
*HUTCHINS, JOHNNIE DAVID
- Rank and organization: Seaman First Class, U.S. Naval Reserve, LST-.
- Place and date: Lae, New Guinea, 4 September 1943.
- Born: 4 August 1922, Weimer, Tex.
- Accredited to: Texas.
- Citation: For extraordinary
heroism and conspicuous valor above and beyond the call of duty while serving
on board a Landing Ship, Tank, during the assault on Lae, New Guinea, 4
September 1943. As the ship on which Hutchins was stationed approached
the enemy-occupied beach under a veritable hail of fire from Japanese shore
batteries and aerial bombardment, a hostile torpedo pierced the surf and
bore down upon the vessel with deadly accuracy. In the tense split seconds
before the helmsman could steer clear of the threatening missile, a bomb
struck the pilot house, dislodged him from his station, and left the stricken
ship helplessly exposed. Fully aware of the dire peril of the situation,
Hutchins, although mortally wounded by the shattering explosion, quickly
grasped the wheel and exhausted the last of his strength in maneuvering
the vessel clear of the advancing torpedo. Still clinging to the helm,
he eventually succumbed to his injuries, his final thoughts concerned only
with the safety of his ship, his final efforts expended toward the security
of his mission. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.
INOUYE, DANIEL K.
- Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army.
- Place and date: San Terenzo, Italy, 21 April 1945.
- Born:
- Accredited to: Hawaii.
- Citation:
Second Lieutenant Daniel K. Inouye distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on
21 April 1945, in the vicinity of San Terenzo, Italy. While attacking a defended ridge guarding an
important road junction, Second Lieutenant Inouye skillfully directed his platoon through a hail
of automatic weapon and small arms fire, in a swift enveloping movement that resulted in the
capture of an artillery and mortar post and brought his men to within 40 yards of the hostile
force. Emplaced in bunkers and rock formations, the enemy halted the advance with crossfire
from three machine guns. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Second Lieutenant
Inouye crawled up the treacherous slope to within five yards of the nearest machine gun and
hurled two grenades, destroying the emplacement. Before the enemy could retaliate, he stood up
and neutralized a second machine gun nest. Although wounded by a sniperıs bullet, he continued
to engage other hostile positions at close range until an exploding grenade shattered his right
arm. Despite the intense pain, he refused evacuation and continued to direct his platoon until
enemy resistance was broken and his men were again deployed in defensive positions. In the
attack, 25 enemy soldiers were killed and eight others captured. By his gallant, aggressive tactics
and by his indomitable leadership, Second Lieutenant Inouye enabled his platoon to advance
through formidable resistance, and was instrumental in the capture of the ridge. Second
Lieutenant Inouyeıs extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest
traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States
Army.
*JACHMAN, ISADORE S.
- Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
- Place and date: Flamierge, Belgium, 4 January 1945.
- Entered service at: Baltimore, Md.
- Birth: Berlin, Germany.
- G.O. No.: 25, 9 June 1950.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above
and beyond the call of duty at Flamierge, Belgium, on 4 January 1945, when
his company was pinned down by enemy artillery, mortar, and small arms
fire, 2 hostile tanks attacked the unit, inflicting heavy. casualties.
S/Sgt. Jachman, seeing the desperate plight of his comrades, left his place
of cover and with total disregard for his own safety dashed across open
ground through a hail of fire and seizing a bazooka from a fallen comrade
advanced on the tanks, which concentrated their fire on him. Firing the
weapon alone, he damaged one and forced both to retire. S/Sgt. Jachman's
heroic action, in which he suffered fatal wounds, disrupted the entire
enemy attack, reflecting the highest credit upon himself and the parachute
infantry.
JACKSON, ARTHUR J.
- Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division.
- Place and date: Island of Peleliu in the Palau group, 18 September 1944.
- Entered service at: Oregon.
- Born: 18 October 1924, Cleveland Ohio.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving
with the 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, in action against
enemy Japanese forces on the Island of Peleliu in the Palau group, 18 September
1944. Boldly taking the initiative when his platoon's left flank advance
was held up by the fire of Japanese troops concealed in strongly fortified
positions, Pfc. Jackson unhesitatingly proceeded forward of our lines and,
courageously defying the heavy barrages, charged a large pillbox housing
approximately 35 enemy soldiers. Pouring his automatic fire into the opening
of the fixed installation to trap the occupying troops, he hurled white
phosphorus grenades and explosive charges brought up by a fellow marine,
demolishing the pillbox and killing all of the enemy. Advancing alone under
the continuous fire from other hostile emplacements, he employed similar
means to smash 2 smaller positions in the immediate vicinity. Determined
to crush the entire pocket of resistance although harassed on all sides
by the shattering blasts of Japanese weapons and covered only by small
rifle parties, he stormed 1 gun position after another, dealing death and
destruction to the savagely fighting enemy in his inexorable drive against
the remaining defenses, and succeeded in wiping out a total of 12 pillboxes
and 50 Japanese soldiers. Stouthearted and indomitable despite the terrific
odds. Pfc. Jackson resolutely maintained control of the platoon's left
flank movement throughout his valiant 1-man assault and, by his cool decision
and relentless fighting spirit during a critical situation, contributed
essentially to the complete annihilation of the enemy in the southern sector
of the island. His gallant initiative and heroic conduct in the face of
extreme peril reflect the highest credit upon Pfc. Jackson and the U.S.
Naval Service.
JACOBSON, DOUGLAS THOMAS
- Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 3d Battalion, 23d Marines, 4th Marine Division.
- Place and date: Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 26 February 1945.
- Entered service at: New York.
- Born: 25 November 1925, Rochester, N.Y.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while
serving with the 3d Battalion, 23d Marines, 4th Marine Division, in combat
against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano
Island, 26 February 1945. Promptly destroying a stubborn 20mm. antiaircraft
gun and its crew after assuming the duties of a bazooka man who had been
killed, Pfc. Jacobson waged a relentless battle as his unit fought desperately
toward the summit of Hill 382 in an effort to penetrate the heart of Japanese
cross-island defense. Employing his weapon with ready accuracy when his
platoon was halted by overwhelming enemy fire on 26 February, he first
destroyed 2 hostile machinegun positions, then attacked a large blockhouse,
completely neutralizing the fortification before dispatching the 5-man
crew of a second pillbox and exploding the installation with a terrific
demolitions blast. Moving steadily forward, he wiped out an earth-covered
rifle emplacement and, confronted by a cluster of similar emplacements
which constituted the perimeter of enemy defenses in his assigned sector,
fearlessly advanced, quickly reduced all 6 positions to a shambles, killed
10 of the enemy, and enabled our forces to occupy the strong point. Determined
to widen the breach thus forced, he volunteered his services to an adjacent
assault company, neutralized a pillbox holding up its advance, opened fire
on a Japanese tank pouring a steady stream of bullets on 1 of our supporting
tanks, and smashed the enemy tank's gun turret in a brief but furious action
culminating in a single-handed assault against still another blockhouse
and the subsequent neutralization of its firepower. By his dauntless skill
and valor, Pfc. Jacobson destroyed a total of 16 enemy positions and annihilated
approximately 75 Japanese, thereby contributing essentially to the success
of his division's operations against this fanatically defended outpost
of the Japanese Empire. His gallant conduct in the face of tremendous odds
enhanced and sustained the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
*JERSTAD, JOHN L. (Air Mission)
- Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army Air Corps, 9th Air Force.
- Place and date: Ploesti Raid, Rumania, 1 August 1943.
- Entered service at: Racine, Wis.
- Born: 12 February 1918, Racine, Wis.
- G.O. No.: 72, 28 October 1943.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the
call of duty. On 1 August 1943, he served as pilot of the lead aircraft
in his group in a daring low-level attack against enemy oil refineries
and installations at Ploesti, Rumania. Although he had completed more than
his share of missions and was no longer connected with this group, so high
was his conception of duty that he volunteered to lead the formation in
the correct belief that his participation would contribute materially to
success in this attack. Maj. Jerstad led the formation into attack with
full realization of the extreme hazards involved and despite withering
fire from heavy and light antiaircraft guns. Three miles from the target
his airplane was hit, badly damaged, and set on fire. Ignoring the fact
that he was flying over a field suitable for a forced landing, he kept
on the course. After the bombs of his aircraft were released on the target,
the fire in his ship became so intense as to make further progress impossible
and he crashed into the target area. By his voluntary acceptance of a mission
he knew was extremely hazardous, and his assumption of an intrepid course
of action at the risk of life over and above the call of duty, Maj. Jerstad
set an example of heroism which will be an inspiration to the U.S. Armed
Forces.
*JOHNSON, ELDEN H.
- Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, 15th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Valmontone, Italy, 3 June 1944.
- Entered service at: East Weymouth, Mass.
- Birth: Bivalue, N.J.
- G.O. No.: 38, 16 May 1945.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of
life above and beyond the call of duty. Pvt. Johnson elected to sacrifice
his life in order that his comrades might extricate themselves from an
ambush. Braving the massed fire of about 60 riflemen, 3 machineguns, and
3 tanks from positions only 25 yards distant, he stood erect and signaled
his patrol leader to withdraw. The whole area was brightly illuminated
by enemy flares. Then, despite 20mm. machineguns, machine pistol, and rifle
fire directed at him, Pvt. Johnson advanced beyond the enemy in a slow
deliberate walk. Firing his automatic rifle from the hip, he succeeded
in distracting the enemy and enabled his 12 comrades to escape. Advancing
to within 5 yards of a machinegun, emptying his weapon, Pvt. Johnson killed
its crew. Standing in full view of the enemy he reloaded and turned on
the riflemen to the left, firing directly into their positions. He either
killed or wounded 4 of them. A burst of machinegun fire tore into Pvt.
Johnson and he dropped to his knees. Fighting to the very last, he steadied
himself on his knees and sent a final burst of fire crashing into another
German. With that he slumped forward dead. Pvt. Johnson had willingly given
his life in order that his comrades might live. These acts on the part
of Pvt. Johnson were an inspiration to the entire command and are in keeping
with the highest traditions of the armed forces.
JOHNSON, LEON W. (Air Mission)
- Rank and organization: Colonel, U.S. Army Air Corps, 44th Bomber Group, 9th Air Force.
- Place and date: Ploesti Raid, Rumania, 1 August 1943.
- Entered service at: Moline, Kans.
- Born: 13 September 1904, Columbia, Mo.
- G.O. No.: 54, 7 September 1943.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry in action and
intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on
1 August 1943. Col. Johnson, as commanding officer of a heavy bombardment
group, let the formation of the aircraft of his organization constituting
the fourth element of the mass low-level bombing attack of the 9th U.S.
Air Force against the vitally important enemy target of the Ploesti oil
refineries. While proceeding to the target on this 2,400-mile flight, his
element became separated from the leading elements of the mass formation
in maintaining the formation of the unit while avoiding dangerous cumulous
cloud conditions encountered over mountainous territory. Though temporarily
lost, he reestablished contact with the third element and continued on
the mission with this reduced force to the prearranged point of attack,
where it was discovered that the target assigned to Col. Johnson's group
had been attacked and damaged by a preceding element. Though having lost
the element of surprise upon which the safety and success of such a daring
form of mission in heavy bombardment aircraft so strongly depended, Col.
Johnson elected to carry out his planned low-level attack despite the thoroughly
alerted defenses, the destructive antiaircraft fire, enemy fighter airplanes,
the imminent danger of exploding delayed action bombs from the previous
element, of oil fires and explosions, and of intense smoke obscuring the
target. By his gallant courage, brilliant leadership, and superior flying
skill, Col. Johnson so led his formation as to destroy totally the important
refining plants and installations which were the object of his mission.
Col. Johnson's personal contribution to the success of this historic raid,
and the conspicuous gallantry in action, and intrepidity at the risk of
his life above and beyond the call of duty demonstrated by him on this
occasion constitute such deeds of valor and distinguished service as have
during our Nation's history formed the finest traditions of our Armed Forces.
*JOHNSON, LEROY
- Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company K, 126th Infantry, 32d Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Limon, Leyte, Philippine Islands, 15 December 1944.
- Entered service at: Oakdale, La.
- Birth: Caney Creek, La.
- G.O. No.: 83, 2 October 1945.
- Citation: He was squad leader of a 9-man
patrol sent to reconnoiter a ridge held by a well-entrenched enemy force.
Seeing an enemy machinegun position, he ordered his men to remain behind
while he crawled to within 6 yards of the gun. One of the enemy crew jumped
up and prepared to man the weapon. Quickly withdrawing, Sgt. Johnson rejoined
his patrol and reported the situation to his commanding officer. Ordered
to destroy the gun, which covered the approaches to several other enemy
positions, he chose 3 other men, armed them with hand grenades, and led
them to a point near the objective. After taking partial cover behind a
log, the men had knocked out the gun and begun an assault when hostile
troops on the flank hurled several grenades. As he started for cover, Sgt.
Johnson saw 2 unexploded grenades which had fallen near his men. Knowing
that his comrades would be wounded or killed by the explosion, he deliberately
threw himself on the grenades and received their full charge in his body.
Fatally wounded by the blast, he died soon afterward. Through his outstanding
gallantry in sacrificing his life for his comrades, Sgt. Johnson provided
a shining example of the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.
JOHNSON, OSCAR G.
- Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 363d Infantry, 91st Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Scarperia, Italy, 1618 September 1944.
- Entered service at: Foster City, Mich.
- Birth: Foster City, Mich.
- G.O. No.: 58, 19 July 1945.
- Citation: (then Pfc.) He practically single-handed
protected the left flank of his company's position in the offensive to
break the German's gothic line. Company B was the extreme left assault
unit of the corps. The advance was stopped by heavy fire from Monticelli
Ridge, and the company took cover behind an embankment. Sgt. Johnson, a
mortar gunner, having expended his ammunition, assumed the duties of a
rifleman. As leader of a squad of 7 men he was ordered to establish a combat
post 50 yards to the left of the company to cover its exposed flank. Repeated
enemy counterattacks, supported by artillery, mortar, and machinegun fire
from the high ground to his front, had by the afternoon of 16 September
killed or wounded all his men. Collecting weapons and ammunition from his
fallen comrades, in the face of hostile fire, he held his exposed position
and inflicted heavy casualties upon the enemy, who several times came close
enough to throw hand grenades. On the night of 1617 September, the enemy
launched his heaviest attack on Company B, putting his greatest pressure
against the lone defender of the left flank. In spite of mortar fire which
crashed about him and machinegun bullets which whipped the crest of his
shallow trench, Sgt. Johnson stood erect and repulsed the attack with grenades
and small arms fire. He remained awake and on the alert throughout the
night, frustrating all attempts at infiltration. On 17 September, 25 German
soldiers surrendered to him. Two men, sent to reinforce him that afternoon,
were caught in a devastating mortar and artillery barrage. With no thought
of his own safety, Sgt. Johnson rushed to the shell hole where they lay
half buried and seriously wounded, covered their position by his fire,
and assisted a Medical Corpsman in rendering aid. That night he secured
their removal to the rear and remained on watch until his company was relieved.
Five companies of a German paratroop regiment had been repeatedly committed
to the attack on Company B without success. Twenty dead Germans were found
in front of his position. By his heroic stand and utter disregard for personal
safety, Sgt. Johnson was in a large measure responsible for defeating the
enemy's attempts to turn the exposed left flank.
JOHNSTON, WILLIAM J.
- Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company G, 180th Infantry, 45th Infantry Division.
- Place and date: Near Padiglione, Italy, 17-19 February 1944.
- Entered service at: Colchester, Conn.
- Birth: Trenton, N.J.
- G.O. No.: 73, 6 September 1944.
- Citation: For conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action
against the enemy. On 17 February 1944, near Padiglione, Italy, he observed
and fired upon an attacking force of approximately 80 Germans, causing
at least 25 casualties and forcing withdrawal of the remainder. All that
day he manned his gun without relief, subject to mortar, artillery, and
sniper fire. Two Germans individually worked so close to his position that
his machinegun was ineffective, whereupon he killed 1 with his pistol,
the second with a rifle taken from another soldier. When a rifleman protecting
his gun position was killed by a sniper, he immediately moved the body
and relocated the machinegun in that spot in order to obtain a better field
of fire. He volunteered to cover the platoon's withdrawal and was the last
man to leave that night. In his new position he maintained an all-night
vigil, the next day causing 7 German casualties. On the afternoon of the
18th, the organization on the left flank having been forced to withdraw,
he again covered the withdrawal of his own organization. Shortly thereafter,
he was seriously wounded over the heart, and a passing soldier saw him
trying to crawl up the embankment. The soldier aided him to resume his
position behind the machinegun which was soon heard in action for about
10 minutes. Though reported killed, Pfc. Johnston was seen returning to
the American lines on the morning of 19 February slowly and painfully working
his way back from his overrun position through enemy lines. He gave valuable
information of new enemy dispositions. His heroic determination to destroy
the enemy and his disregard of his own safety aided immeasurably in halting
a strong enemy attack, caused an enormous amount of enemy casualties, and
so inspired his fellow soldiers that they fought for and held a vitally
important position against greatly superior forces.
*JONES, HERBERT CHARPOIT
- Rank and organization: Ensign, U.S. Naval Reserve, U.S.S. California.
- Place and date: Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941.
- Born: 1 December 1918, Los Angeles, Calif.
- Accredited to: California.
- Citation: For conspicuous
devotion to duty, extraordinary courage, and complete disregard of his
own life, above and beyond the call of duty, during the attack on the Fleet
in Pearl Harbor, by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. Ens. Jones organized
and led a party, which was supplying ammunition to the antiaircraft battery
of the U.S.S. California after the mechanical hoists were put out of action
when he was fatally wounded by a bomb explosion. When 2 men attempted to
take him from the area which was on fire, he refused to let them do so,
saying in words to the effect, "Leave me alone! I am done for. Get
out of here before the magazines go off."
*JULIAN, JOSEPH RODOLPH
- Rank and organization: Platoon Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 1st Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division.
- Place and date: Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 9 March 1945.
- Born: 3 April 1918, Sturbridge, Mass.
- Accredited to: Massachusetts.
- Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty as a P/Sgt. serving with the 1st Battalion,
27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces
during the seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 9 March 1945. Determined
to force a breakthrough when Japanese troops occupying trenches and fortified
positions on the left front laid down a terrific machinegun and mortar
barrage in a desperate effort to halt his company's advance, P/Sgt. Julian
quickly established his platoon's guns in strategic supporting positions,
and then, acting on his own initiative, fearlessly moved forward to execute
a 1-man assault on the nearest pillbox. Advancing alone, he hurled deadly
demolition and white phosphorus grenades into the emplacement, killing
2 of the enemy and driving the remaining 5 out into the adjoining trench
system. Seizing a discarded rifle, he jumped into the trench and dispatched
the 5 before they could make an escape. Intent on wiping out all resistance,
he obtained more explosives and, accompanied by another marine, again charged
the hostile fortifications and knocked out 2 more cave positions. Immediately
thereafter, he launched a bazooka attack unassisted, firing 4 rounds into
the 1 remaining pillbox and completely destroying it before he fell, mortally
wounded by a vicious burst of enemy fire. Stouthearted and indomitable,
P/Sgt. Julian consistently disregarded all personal danger and, by his
bold decision, daring tactics, and relentless fighting spirit during a
critical phase of the battle, contributed materially to the continued advance
of his company and to the success of his division's operations in the sustained
drive toward the conquest of this fiercely defended outpost of the Japanese
Empire. His outstanding valor and unfaltering spirit of self-sacrifice
throughout the bitter conflict sustained and enhanced the highest traditions
of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.