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List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Battle of Iwo Jima facts for kids

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The Medal of Honor is the highest military award given by the United States government. It's for members of the armed forces who show amazing bravery. The Battle of Iwo Jima happened in February and March 1945 during World War II. It was one of the toughest and most intense battles of the war. The American plan, called Operation Detachment, was to capture the airfields on Iwo Jima island.

The Imperial Japanese Army had built very strong defenses on the island. They had huge bunkers, hidden artillery guns, and 18 kilometers (about 11 miles) of tunnels. This battle was the first time American forces attacked the Japanese Home Islands. The Japanese soldiers fought until almost all of them were killed. Out of 21,000 Japanese soldiers at the start, over 20,000 died, and only 216 were captured.

During this two-month battle, 27 U.S. military members earned the Medal of Honor for their brave actions. Out of these 27 medals, 22 went to Marines. Five medals were given to United States Navy sailors. Four of these sailors were Hospital Corpsmen, who are like medics. This means that over a quarter of all 82 Medals of Honor given to Marines in World War II were for Iwo Jima. Also, four of the seven Medals of Honor given to Hospital Corpsmen in the entire war were for this battle. The 27 brave individuals held many different ranks, from private to lieutenant colonel. Fourteen of them (52%) received their awards after they had died.

Brave Heroes of Iwo Jima

      This with the * means the Medal of Honor was given after the person had died

Picture Name Service Branch Rank Date of Action Unit What They Did
black and white headshot of Charles Berry in his military uniform Berry, Charles J.Charles J. Berry* Marine Corps E-04Corporal March 3, 1945 05-26-011st Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division A bridge in Lorain, Ohio, was named the Charles Berry Bridge in his honor.
black and white headshot of William Caddy in his military uniform Caddy, William R.William R. Caddy* Marine Corps Reserve E-02Private First Class March 3, 1945 05-26-03-ICompany I, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division He gave his life to save his platoon leader and platoon sergeant.
black and white headshot of Justice Chambers in his military uniform Chambers, Justice M.Justice M. Chambers Marine Corps Reserve O-05Lieutenant Colonel 01945-02-19February 19–22, 1945 04-25-033d Assault Battalion Landing Team, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division He led an 8-hour battle to capture a ridge, protecting the American foothold.
black and white headshot of Darrell Cole in his military uniform Cole, Darrell S.Darrell S. Cole* Marine Corps Reserve E-05Sergeant February 19, 1945 04-23-01-BCompany B, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division The Navy ship USS Cole (DDG-67) is named after him.
black and white headshot of Robert Dunlap in his military uniform Dunlap, Robert H.Robert H. Dunlap Marine Corps Reserve O-03Captain 01945-02-20February 20–21, 1945 05-26-01-CCompany C, 1st Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division He risked his life to find enemy gun positions and guide fire on them.
black and white headshot of Ross Gray in his military uniform Gray, Ross F.Ross F. Gray* Marine Corps Reserve E-05Sergeant February 21, 1945 04-25-01-ACompany A, 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division He single-handedly defeated an enemy group and cleared a large minefield.
black and white headshot of William Harrell in his military uniform Harrell, William G.William G. Harrell Marine Corps E-05Sergeant March 3, 1945 05-28-01-ACompany A, 1st Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division He risked his life to defend his position against a larger enemy force.
black and white headshot of Rufus Herring in his military uniform Herring, Rufus G.Rufus G. Herring USNR O-02Lieutenant, Junior Grade February 17, 1945 USS LCI(G)-449 He kept his ship in the fight despite heavy enemy fire and guided it to safety.
black and white headshot of Douglas Jacobson in his military uniform Jacobson, Douglas T.Douglas T. Jacobson Marine Corps Reserve E-02Private First Class February 26, 1945 04-23-033rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division He bravely destroyed 16 enemy positions and about 75 Japanese soldiers.
black and white headshot of Joseph Julian in his military uniform Julian, Joseph R.Joseph R. Julian* Marine Corps Reserve E-06Platoon Sergeant March 9, 1945 05-27-011st Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division He gave his life to remove a dangerous enemy threat.
black and white headshot of James La Belle in his military uniform La Belle, James D.James D. La Belle* Marine Corps Reserve E-02Private First Class March 8, 1945 05-27-WWeapons Company, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division He saved his fellow Marines by jumping on a grenade.
black and white headshot of John Leims in his military uniform Leims, John H.John H. Leims Marine Corps Reserve O-01Second Lieutenant March 7, 1945 03-09-01-BCompany B, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division He risked his life to rescue several wounded Marines.
black and white headshot of Jacklyn Lucas in his military uniform Lucas, Jacklyn HarrellJacklyn Harrell Lucas Marine Corps Reserve E-02Private First Class February 20, 1945 05-26-011st Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division He covered two Japanese grenades with his body. He was the youngest recipient since the Civil War.
black and white headshot of Jack Lummus in his military uniform Lummus, JackJack Lummus* Marine Corps Reserve O-02First Lieutenant March 8, 1945 05-27-022nd Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division He used to play football for the New York Giants.
black and white headshot of Harry Martin in his military uniform Martin, Harry L.Harry L. Martin* Marine Corps Reserve O-02First Lieutenant March 26, 1945 05-5P-CCompany C, 5th Pioneer Battalion, 5th Marine Division He gave his life to help rescue his men who were surrounded by the enemy.
black and white headshot of Joseph McCarthy in his military uniform McCarthy, Joseph J.Joseph J. McCarthy Marine Corps Reserve O-03Captain February 21, 1945 04-24-022nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division He risked his life to clear out enemy troops so his men could move forward.
black and white headshot of George Phillips in his military uniform Phillips, GeorgeGeorge Phillips* Marine Corps Reserve E-01Private March 14, 1945 05-28-022nd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division He gave his life to save the lives of his fellow Marines.
black and white headshot of Francis Pierce in his military uniform Pierce, Francis J.Francis J. Pierce Navy E-06Pharmacist's Mate First Class 01945-03-15March 15–16, 1945 04-24-022nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division He risked his life to save wounded service members and volunteered for a dangerous mission.
black and white headshot of Donald Ruhl in his military uniform Ruhl, Donald J.Donald J. Ruhl* Marine Corps Reserve E-02Private First Class 01945-02-19February 19–21, 1945 05-28-02-ECompany E, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division He saved his fellow Marines by giving his life and jumping on an enemy grenade.
black and white headshot of Franklin Sigler in his military uniform Sigler, Franklin E.Franklin E. Sigler Marine Corps Reserve E-01Private March 14, 1945 05-26-02Company F 2nd Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division He led a charge against an enemy gun that had stopped his company's advance for days.
black and white headshot of Tony stein in his military uniform Stein, TonyTony Stein* Marine Corps Reserve E-04Corporal February 19, 1945 05-28-01Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division He was the first Medal of Honor recipient from Iwo Jima. The Navy ship USS Stein (FF-1065) is named after him.
black and white headshot of George Wahlen in his military uniform Wahlen, George E.George E. Wahlen Navy E-05Pharmacist's Mate Second Class March 3, 1945 05-26-022nd Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division Even though he was badly wounded, he risked his life to save several other service members.
black and white headshot of William Walsh in his military uniform Walsh, William G.William G. Walsh* Marine Corps Reserve E-07Gunnery Sergeant February 27, 1945 05-27-03-GCompany G, 3rd Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division He gave his life to save a group of fellow Marines.
Man in Marine Corps uniform with Medal of Honor Watson, Wilson D.Wilson D. Watson Marine Corps Reserve E-01Private 01945-02-26February 26–27, 1945 03-09-022nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division He risked his life fighting the enemy alone for 15 minutes until his platoon could catch up.
black and white headshot of Hershel Williams in his military uniform Williams, Hershel W.Hershel W. Williams Marine Corps Reserve E-04Corporal February 23, 1945 03-21-011st Battalion, 21st Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division He bravely attacked the enemy for 4 hours with a flamethrower to save his unit from many casualties. He was the last living Medal of Honor recipient from World War II.
black and white headshot of Jack Williams in his military uniform Williams, JackJack Williams* USNR E-04Pharmacist's Mate Third Class March 3, 1945 05-28-033rd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division He was killed while giving first aid to a wounded Marine.
black and white headshot of John Willis in his military uniform Willis, John H.John H. Willis* Navy E-06Pharmacist's Mate First Class February 28, 1945 05-27-033rd Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division He was killed by a grenade while helping a wounded Marine.

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Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Anexo:Medallas de Honor de la batalla de Iwo Jima para niños

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