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

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The Battle of Iwo Jima took place in February and March 1945 during World War II. Some of the fiercest fighting of the war happened during this battle. The American invasion was called Operation Detachment. It was charged with capturing the airfields on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima.

The Imperial Japanese Army positions on the island were heavily fortified. There were vast bunkers with hidden artillery. It had 18 kilometers (11 mi) of tunnels. The battle was the first American attack on the Japanese Home Islands. The Imperial soldiers defended their positions tenaciously. Of the 21,000 Japanese soldiers present at the beginning of the battle, over 20,000 were killed. Only 216 were taken prisoner.

The battle lasted 2 months. After the battle 27 U.S. military personnel received the Medal of Honor for their actions. Of the 27 medals presented, 22 were presented to Marines. Five were presented to United States Navy sailors. A full 30% of the 82 Medals of Honor presented to Marines in World War II were from this battle.

The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War. It is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. The recipient must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy of the United States. Due to the nature of this medal, it is commonly presented after the recipient is killed (posthumously).

Recipients

      This with the   † indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously

Image Name Service Rank Date of action Unit Notes
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 The Erie Avenue Bridge in Lorain, Ohio was renamed in 1988 to the Charles Berry Bridge in honor of Cpl Berry, a native son of the city.
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 Sacrificed his life to save the lives of 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 Led the 8-hour battle to carry the flanking ridge top and reduce the enemy's fields of aimed fire, thus protecting the vital foothold gained
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 Namesake of USS Cole (DDG-67)
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 Risked his life to gather intelligence about and direct fire on, enemy gun positions
—
 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 Single-handedly overcame a strong enemy garrison and completely disarmed a large mine field before finally rejoining his unit.
—
 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 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 Maintained position in the firing line with his 20-mm guns in action in the face of sustained enemy fire and conned his crippled ship 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 Risked his life by destroying a total of sixteen enemy positions and approximately seventy-five Japanese
—
 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 Sacrificed his life to eliminate an enemy threat
—
 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 Sacrificed his life to save a group of his fellow Marines by diving on a grenade
—
 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 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 Covered two Japanese grenades with his body. Survived the blast of the one that exploded. Youngest recipient since the Civil War (turned 17 just 5 days before Iwo Jima D-Day)
—
 Lummus, JackJack Lummus  † Marine Corps Reserve O-02First Lieutenant March 8, 1945 05-27-022nd Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division Had earlier played 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 Sacrificed his life to help rescue some of his men who had been overrun by the enemy.
—
 McCarthy, Joseph J.Joseph J. McCarthy Marine Corps Reserve O-03Captain February 21, 1945 04-24-022nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division Risked his life to eliminate several enemy troops so his men could move forward
—
 Phillips, GeorgeGeorge Phillips  † Marine Corps Reserve E-01Private March 14, 1945 05-28-022nd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division Sacrificed his life to save the lives of fellow Marines
—
 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 Risked his life to save several wounded servicemembers and volunteered for a mission to eliminate an enemy threat
—
 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 Saved several of his fellow Marines by sacrificing his life and diving on an enemy grenade
—
 Sigler, Franklin E.Franklin E. Sigler Marine Corps Reserve E-01Private March 14, 1945 05-26-022nd Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division Led a charge against an enemy gun installation which had held up the advance of his company for several days
—
 Stein, TonyTony Stein  † Marine Corps Reserve E-04Corporal February 19, 1945 05-28-01Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division First Medal of Honor of Iwo Jima. Namesake of USS Stein (FF-1065)
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 Although seriously wounded he risked his life to save the lives of several other servicemembers
—
 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 Sacrificed his life to save a group of fellow Marines
—
 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 Risked his life fighting the enemy single handedly for 15 minutes until his platoon could catch up to him
—
 Williams, Hershel W.Hershel W. Williams Marine Corps Reserve E-04Corporal February 23, 1945 03-21-011st Battalion, 21st Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division Risked his life attacking the enemy for 4 hours to minimize unit casualties
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 Killed while performing 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 Killed by a grenade while assisting a wounded Marine

Images for kids

  • Gray RF USMC

    black and white headshot of Ross Gray in his military uniform

  • Harrell WG

    black and white headshot of William Harrell in his military uniform

  • Julian JR USMC

    black and white headshot of Joseph Julian in his military uniform

  • LaBelle JD

    black and white headshot of James La Belle in his military uniform

  • Leims JH USMC

    black and white headshot of John Leims in his military uniform

  • Jack Lummus in Uniform

    black and white headshot of Jack Lummus in his military uniform

  • Mccarthy(medal of honor)

    black and white headshot of Joseph McCarthy in his military uniform

  • Phillips G

    black and white headshot of George Phillips in his military uniform

  • Francis Pierce

    black and white headshot of Francis Pierce in his military uniform

  • Ruhl DJ

    black and white headshot of Donald Ruhl in his military uniform

  • Sigler FE

    black and white headshot of Franklin Sigler in his military uniform

  • Stein T

    black and white headshot of Tony stein in his military uniform

  • Walsh WG

    black and white headshot of William Walsh in his military uniform

  • Watsonwilson

    Man in Marine Corps uniform with Medal of Honor

  • Williams HW

    black and white headshot of Hershel Williams in his military uniform

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