World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. Served with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines. On March 3, 1945 in action against the Japanese on Iwo Jima, he, his platoon leader and his acting platoon sergeant, were advancing against enemy machine gun fire in an isolated sector. Seeking cover from the murderous fire, the three Marines dropped into a shell hole. After several unsuccessful attempts to advance, he and his lieutenant engaged in a hand grenade battle with the defending Japanese. When an enemy missile landed in their hole, he covered it with his body and absorbed the full impact. The Medal of Honor was presented posthumously to his mother on September 8, 1946. He was the 72nd Marine of World War II to receive this great honor.
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. Served with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines. On March 3, 1945 in action against the Japanese on Iwo Jima, he, his platoon leader and his acting platoon sergeant, were advancing against enemy machine gun fire in an isolated sector. Seeking cover from the murderous fire, the three Marines dropped into a shell hole. After several unsuccessful attempts to advance, he and his lieutenant engaged in a hand grenade battle with the defending Japanese. When an enemy missile landed in their hole, he covered it with his body and absorbed the full impact. The Medal of Honor was presented posthumously to his mother on September 8, 1946. He was the 72nd Marine of World War II to receive this great honor.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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