List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Battle of Iwo Jima
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Iwo Jima
took place in February and March 1945 during World War II
and was marked by some of the fiercest fighting of the war. The American invasion, known as Operation Detachment, was charged with capturing the airfields on Iwo Jima.
The Imperial Japanese Army
positions on the island were heavily fortified, with vast bunkers, hidden artillery, and 18 kilometers (11 mi) of tunnels. The battle was the first American attack on the Japanese Home Islands
, and 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 and only 216 taken prisoner.
During the 2-month-long battle, 27 U.S. military personnel were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions. Of the 27 medals awarded, 22 were presented to Marines
and five were presented to United States Navy
sailors (see below); this is a full 30% of the 82 Medals of Honor awarded to Marines in the entirety of World War II.
The Medal of Honor
was created during the American Civil War
and 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 posthumously.
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima , or Operation Detachment, was a major battle in which the United States fought for and captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Empire of Japan. The U.S...
took place in February and March 1945 during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and was marked by some of the fiercest fighting of the war. The American invasion, known as Operation Detachment, was charged with capturing the airfields on Iwo Jima.
The Imperial Japanese Army
Imperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
positions on the island were heavily fortified, with vast bunkers, hidden artillery, and 18 kilometers (11 mi) of tunnels. The battle was the first American attack on the Japanese Home Islands
Japanese Archipelago
The , which forms the country of Japan, extends roughly from northeast to southwest along the northeastern coast of the Eurasia mainland, washing upon the northwestern shores of the Pacific Ocean...
, and 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 and only 216 taken prisoner.
During the 2-month-long battle, 27 U.S. military personnel were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions. Of the 27 medals awarded, 22 were presented to Marines
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
and five were presented to United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
sailors (see below); this is a full 30% of the 82 Medals of Honor awarded to Marines in the entirety of World War II.
The Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
was created during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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 posthumously.
Recipients
| Image | Name | Service | Rank | Date of action | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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* | Marine Corps United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States... |
Corporal | 1st Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment 26th Marine Regiment (United States) The 26th Marine Regiment is a deactiveated infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps. They fought during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II and were activated again during the Vietnam War.-Subordinate units:... , 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. | |
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* | Marine Corps Reserve United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States... |
Private First Class Private First Class Private First Class is a military rank held by junior enlisted persons.- Singapore :The rank of Private First Class in the Singapore Armed Forces lies between the ranks of Private and Lance-Corporal . It is usually held by conscript soldiers midway through their national service term... |
Company I, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment 26th Marine Regiment (United States) The 26th Marine Regiment is a deactiveated infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps. They fought during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II and were activated again during the Vietnam War.-Subordinate units:... , 5th Marine Division |
Sacrificed his life to save the lives of his platoon leader and platoon sergeant | |
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Marine Corps Reserve United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States... |
Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant Colonel (United States) In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay... |
February 19–22, 1945 | 3d 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 | |
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* | Marine Corps Reserve United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States... |
Sergeant | Company B, 1st Battalion 1st Battalion 23rd Marines 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines is one of 36 infantry battalions in the United States Marine Corps, and one of only nine battalions found in the reserve. It is located throughout Texas and Louisiana consisting of approximately 1000 Marines and Sailors... , 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division |
Namesake of | |
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Marine Corps Reserve United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States... |
Captain | February 20–21, 1945 | Company C, 1st Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment 26th Marine Regiment (United States) The 26th Marine Regiment is a deactiveated infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps. They fought during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II and were activated again during the Vietnam War.-Subordinate units:... , 5th Marine Division |
Risked his life to gather intelligence about and direct fire on, enemy gun positions | |
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* | Marine Corps Reserve United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States... |
Sergeant | Company A, 1st Battalion 1st Battalion 25th Marines 1st Battalion, 25th Marines is a reserve infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps located throughout New England consisting of approximately 750 Marines and Sailors... , 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. | |
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Marine Corps United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States... |
Sergeant | Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment 28th Marine Regiment (United States) The 28th Marine Regiment is an inactive infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps. They fought during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II and some of its members were immortalized in the famous photo of the flag raising on top of Mount Suribachi.-Subordinate units:The Regiment... , 5th Marine Division |
Risked his life to defend his position against a larger enemy force | ||
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USNR United States Navy Reserve The United States Navy Reserve, until 2005 known as the United States Naval Reserve, is the Reserve Component of the United States Navy... |
Lieutenant, Junior Grade Lieutenant, Junior Grade Lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer rank in the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, United States Merchant Marine USMM, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, with the pay grade... |
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 | |||
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Marine Corps Reserve United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States... |
Private First Class Private First Class Private First Class is a military rank held by junior enlisted persons.- Singapore :The rank of Private First Class in the Singapore Armed Forces lies between the ranks of Private and Lance-Corporal . It is usually held by conscript soldiers midway through their national service term... |
3rd Battalion 3rd Battalion 23rd Marines 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment is a reserve infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps located throughout the Southern United States consisting of approximately 800 Marines and Sailors. The battalion is headquartered in Belle Chase, Louisiana with outlying units throughout the... , 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division |
Risked his life by destroying a total of sixteen enemy positions and approximately seventy-five Japanese | ||
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* | Marine Corps Reserve United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States... |
Platoon Sergeant Platoon Sergeant In many militaries, a platoon sergeant is the senior enlisted member of a platoon, who advises and supports the platoon's commanding officer in leading the unit.-Singapore:... |
1st Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division | Sacrificed his life to eliminate an enemy threat | |
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* | Marine Corps Reserve United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States... |
Private First Class Private First Class Private First Class is a military rank held by junior enlisted persons.- Singapore :The rank of Private First Class in the Singapore Armed Forces lies between the ranks of Private and Lance-Corporal . It is usually held by conscript soldiers midway through their national service term... |
Weapons Company, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division | Sacrificed his life to save a group of his fellow Marines by diving on a grenade | |
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Marine Corps Reserve United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States... |
Second Lieutenant | Company B, 1st Battalion 1st Battalion 9th Marines The 1st Battalion 9th Marines is an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. Formed during World War I, it served until the mid-1990s when it was deactivated to make room for one of three light armor reconnaissance battalions... , 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division |
Risked his life to rescue several wounded Marines | ||
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Marine Corps Reserve United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States... |
Private First Class Private First Class Private First Class is a military rank held by junior enlisted persons.- Singapore :The rank of Private First Class in the Singapore Armed Forces lies between the ranks of Private and Lance-Corporal . It is usually held by conscript soldiers midway through their national service term... |
1st Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment 26th Marine Regiment (United States) The 26th Marine Regiment is a deactiveated infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps. They fought during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II and were activated again during the Vietnam War.-Subordinate units:... , 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) | ||
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* | Marine Corps Reserve United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States... |
First Lieutenant | 2nd Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division | Had earlier played football for the New York Giants New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
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* | Marine Corps Reserve United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States... |
First Lieutenant | Company C, 5th Pioneer Battalion, 5th Marine Division | Sacrificed his life to help rescue some of his men who had been overrun by the enemy. | |
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Marine Corps Reserve United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States... |
Captain | 2nd Battalion 2nd Battalion 24th Marines 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Chicago, Illinois consisting of approximately 1000 Marines and Sailors... , 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division |
Risked his life to eliminate several enemy troops so his men could move forward | ||
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* | Marine Corps Reserve United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States... |
Private | 2nd Battalion 2nd Battalion 28th Marines The 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines is an inactive infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. They were part of the 28th Marine Regiment and 5th Marine Division and fought during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II... , 28th Marine Regiment 28th Marine Regiment (United States) The 28th Marine Regiment is an inactive infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps. They fought during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II and some of its members were immortalized in the famous photo of the flag raising on top of Mount Suribachi.-Subordinate units:The Regiment... , 5th Marine Division |
Sacrificed his life to save the lives of fellow Marines | |
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Navy United States Navy The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S... |
Pharmacist's Mate First Class | March 15–16, 1945 | 2nd Battalion 2nd Battalion 24th Marines 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Chicago, Illinois consisting of approximately 1000 Marines and Sailors... , 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division |
Risked his life to save several wounded servicemembers and volunteered for a mission to eliminate an enemy threat | |
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* | Marine Corps Reserve United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States... |
Private First Class Private First Class Private First Class is a military rank held by junior enlisted persons.- Singapore :The rank of Private First Class in the Singapore Armed Forces lies between the ranks of Private and Lance-Corporal . It is usually held by conscript soldiers midway through their national service term... |
February 19–21, 1945 | Company E, 2nd Battalion 2nd Battalion 28th Marines The 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines is an inactive infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. They were part of the 28th Marine Regiment and 5th Marine Division and fought during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II... , 28th Marine Regiment 28th Marine Regiment (United States) The 28th Marine Regiment is an inactive infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps. They fought during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II and some of its members were immortalized in the famous photo of the flag raising on top of Mount Suribachi.-Subordinate units:The Regiment... , 5th Marine Division |
Saved several of his fellow Marines by sacrificing his life and diving on an enemy grenade |
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Marine Corps Reserve United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States... |
Private | 2nd Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment 26th Marine Regiment (United States) The 26th Marine Regiment is a deactiveated infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps. They fought during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II and were activated again during the Vietnam War.-Subordinate units:... , 5th Marine Division |
Led a charge against an enemy gun installation which had held up the advance of his company for several days | ||
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* | Marine Corps Reserve United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States... |
Corporal | Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment 28th Marine Regiment (United States) The 28th Marine Regiment is an inactive infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps. They fought during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II and some of its members were immortalized in the famous photo of the flag raising on top of Mount Suribachi.-Subordinate units:The Regiment... , 5th Marine Division |
First Medal of Honor of Iwo Jima. Namesake of | |
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Navy United States Navy The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S... |
Pharmacist's Mate Second Class | 2nd Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment 26th Marine Regiment (United States) The 26th Marine Regiment is a deactiveated infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps. They fought during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II and were activated again during the Vietnam War.-Subordinate units:... , 5th Marine Division |
Although seriously wounded he risked his life to save the lives of several other servicemembers | ||
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* | Marine Corps Reserve United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States... |
Gunnery Sergeant Gunnery Sergeant Gunnery Sergeant is the seventh enlisted rank in the United States Marine Corps, just above Staff Sergeant and below Master Sergeant and First Sergeant, and is a staff non-commissioned officer... |
Company G, 3rd Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division | Sacrificed his life to save a group of fellow Marines | |
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Marine Corps Reserve United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States... |
Private | February 26–27, 1945 | 2nd Battalion 2nd Battalion 9th Marines The 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines is an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. Formed during World War I, the unit played an instrumental role in the defeat of the Japanese forces in the Battles of Guam and Iwo Jima during the World War II... , 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 | |
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Marine Corps Reserve United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States... |
Corporal | 1st Battalion, 21st Marine Regiment 21st Marine Regiment (United States) The 21st Marine Regiment was an infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps. Activated for service in World War II, they fought in the battles of Bougainville, Guam and Iwo Jima... , 3rd Marine Division |
Risked his life attacking the enemy for 4 hours to minimize unit casualties | ||
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* | USNR United States Navy Reserve The United States Navy Reserve, until 2005 known as the United States Naval Reserve, is the Reserve Component of the United States Navy... |
Pharmacist's Mate Third Class | 3rd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment 28th Marine Regiment (United States) The 28th Marine Regiment is an inactive infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps. They fought during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II and some of its members were immortalized in the famous photo of the flag raising on top of Mount Suribachi.-Subordinate units:The Regiment... , 5th Marine Division |
Killed while performing first aid to a wounded Marine | |
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* | Navy United States Navy The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S... |
Pharmacist's Mate First Class | 3rd Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division | Killed by a grenade while assisting a wounded Marine |
See also
- John BasiloneJohn BasiloneJohn Basilone was a United States Marine Gunnery Sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II...
, Medal of Honor recipient (GuadalcanalGuadalcanal campaignThe Guadalcanal Campaign, also known as the Battle of Guadalcanal and codenamed Operation Watchtower by Allied forces, was a military campaign fought between August 7, 1942 and February 9, 1943 on and around the island of Guadalcanal in the Pacific theatre of World War II...
) killed on Iwo Jima and posthumously awarded the Navy CrossNavy CrossThe Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
. - Raising the flag on Iwo JimaRaising the Flag on Iwo JimaRaising the Flag on Iwo Jima is a historic photograph taken on February 23, 1945, by Joe Rosenthal. It depicts five United States Marines and a U.S. Navy corpsman raising the flag of the United States atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.The photograph was extremely...
- The Unknown American Soldier from World War II