John H Willis
| John H. Willis | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 10, 1921 Columbia, Tennessee |
| Died | February 28, 1945 Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands |
| Status | KIA |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1940–1945 |
| Rank | Pharmacist's Mate First Class |
| Service number | |
| Unit | 3rd Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division |
| Commands held | |
| Battles / wars | Battle of Iwo Jima |
| Awards | Medal of Honor, Purple Heart |
| Relations | |
| Later work | |
John Harlan Willis (June 10, 1921 – February 28, 1945) was a United States Navy hospital corpsman who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest decoration for valor, for his actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima while attached to the Marines.
Born in Columbia, Tennessee, Willis enlisted in the U.S. Navy in November 1940, became a hospital corpsman, and served as a platoon corpsman with the 3rd Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division.
Medal of Honor
On February 28, 1945, Willis treated wounded Marines under fire on Hill 362 until wounded himself and ordered to the aid station. He returned without waiting for medical release and, while giving blood plasma to a wounded Marine in a shell hole, threw back eight enemy grenades before a ninth exploded in his hand and killed him. He was 23 years old.
Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Platoon Corpsman serving with the 3d Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 28 February 1945. Constantly imperiled by artillery and mortar fire from strong and mutually supporting pillboxes and caves studding Hill 362 in the enemy's cross-island defenses, Willis resolutely administered first aid to the many marines wounded during the furious close-in fighting until he himself was struck by shrapnel and was ordered back to the battle-aid station. Without waiting for official medical release, he quickly returned to his company and, during a savage hand-to-hand enemy counterattack, daringly advanced to the extreme frontlines under mortar and sniper fire to aid a marine lying wounded in a shellhole. Completely unmindful of his own danger as the Japanese intensified their attack, Willis calmly continued to administer blood plasma to his patient, promptly returning the first hostile grenade which landed in the shell-hole while he was working and hurling back 7 more in quick succession before the ninth exploded in his hand and instantly killed him. By his great personal valor in saving others at the sacrifice of his own life, he inspired his companions, although terrifically outnumbered, to launch a fiercely determined attack and repulse the enemy force. His exceptional fortitude and courage in the performance of duty reflect the highest credit upon Willis and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.