World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. Born in East St. Louis, Illinois he served as a Corporal in the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Marines, 6th Marine Division, US Marine Corps. From May 14-17, 1945, Corporal Day was a squad leader in operations against Japanese forces on Okinawa, in the Ryukyu Islands. On the first day, Corporal Day rallied his squad and led them to a critical position forward of the front lines of Sugar Loaf Hill. Later in a ground attack of about forty Japanese soldiers, despite the loss of half his men, Corporal Day remained at the forefront, shouting encouragement and directing fire which repelled the enemy. During fierce night attacks, suffered by five additional Marines being killed, he assisted to a wounded man, whom he took to safety. He also manned a machine gun assisted by a wounded Marine and halted another night attack. During the second day, the enemy conducted numerous attacks resulting in over 70 enemy dead around his position. Wounded on the third day, Corporal Day repulsed the enemy's final attack and dispatched around 12 of the enemy at close range. Having yielded no ground and with more than 100 enemy dead around his position, Corporal Day preserved the lives of his fellow Marines, plus made a primal contribution to the success of the Okinawa campaign. For conspicuous gallantry, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on January 20, 1998, over fifty years after his actions in the battle of Okinawa, during World War II. Remaining in the Marine Corp, he served in the Korea War, two tours in the Vietnam War and retired a Major General on December 1, 1986.
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. Born in East St. Louis, Illinois he served as a Corporal in the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Marines, 6th Marine Division, US Marine Corps. From May 14-17, 1945, Corporal Day was a squad leader in operations against Japanese forces on Okinawa, in the Ryukyu Islands. On the first day, Corporal Day rallied his squad and led them to a critical position forward of the front lines of Sugar Loaf Hill. Later in a ground attack of about forty Japanese soldiers, despite the loss of half his men, Corporal Day remained at the forefront, shouting encouragement and directing fire which repelled the enemy. During fierce night attacks, suffered by five additional Marines being killed, he assisted to a wounded man, whom he took to safety. He also manned a machine gun assisted by a wounded Marine and halted another night attack. During the second day, the enemy conducted numerous attacks resulting in over 70 enemy dead around his position. Wounded on the third day, Corporal Day repulsed the enemy's final attack and dispatched around 12 of the enemy at close range. Having yielded no ground and with more than 100 enemy dead around his position, Corporal Day preserved the lives of his fellow Marines, plus made a primal contribution to the success of the Okinawa campaign. For conspicuous gallantry, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on January 20, 1998, over fifty years after his actions in the battle of Okinawa, during World War II. Remaining in the Marine Corp, he served in the Korea War, two tours in the Vietnam War and retired a Major General on December 1, 1986.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
JAMES LEWIS DAY
MEDAL OF HONOR
MAJ GEN USMC
WORLD WAR II
KOREA VIETNAM
OCT 5 1925
OCT 28 1998
SSM & 3 GS
PH & 2 GS
Family Members
Children
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