World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. Served as a Major, Executive Officer of the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Marines, 6th Marine Division in action against Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Islands. On May 14 and 15, 1945, he was ordered to hold for the night in static defense behind Sugar Loaf Hill after leading his command in a prolonged fire fight. He weighed the effect of a hostile counterattack and obtained permission to advance and seize the forward slope of the hill. With his small remaining force, he moved forward blasting nearby cave positions and neutralizing enemy guns as he went. Upon reaching the crest and observing large numbers of Japanese forming for action, he instantly attacked killing many of the enemy and forced the remainder to cover in the caves. Determined to hold, he ordered his men to dig in and aid casualties, while assigning other men to more advantageous positions. Although instantly killed by a mortar burst while moving among his men, his leadership and decisive action contributed to the success of the Okinawa Campaign. In addition to the Medal of Honor, he was also posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Gold Star in lieu of a second Purple Heart for wounds received in that campaign.
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His name is included on a Monument in Okinawa, Japan. For that record "Click Here"
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His name is included on a Monument in Okinawa, Japan. For that record "Click Here"
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. Served as a Major, Executive Officer of the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Marines, 6th Marine Division in action against Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Islands. On May 14 and 15, 1945, he was ordered to hold for the night in static defense behind Sugar Loaf Hill after leading his command in a prolonged fire fight. He weighed the effect of a hostile counterattack and obtained permission to advance and seize the forward slope of the hill. With his small remaining force, he moved forward blasting nearby cave positions and neutralizing enemy guns as he went. Upon reaching the crest and observing large numbers of Japanese forming for action, he instantly attacked killing many of the enemy and forced the remainder to cover in the caves. Determined to hold, he ordered his men to dig in and aid casualties, while assigning other men to more advantageous positions. Although instantly killed by a mortar burst while moving among his men, his leadership and decisive action contributed to the success of the Okinawa Campaign. In addition to the Medal of Honor, he was also posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Gold Star in lieu of a second Purple Heart for wounds received in that campaign.
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His name is included on a Monument in Okinawa, Japan. For that record "Click Here"
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His name is included on a Monument in Okinawa, Japan. For that record "Click Here"
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Family Members
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