William R Caddy
| William R. Caddy | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 8, 1925 Quincy, Massachusetts |
| Died | March 3, 1945 Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands |
| Status | KIA |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1943–1945 |
| Rank | Private First Class |
| Service number | |
| Unit | Company I, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division |
| Commands held | |
| Battles / wars | Battle of Iwo Jima |
| Awards | Medal of Honor, Purple Heart |
| Relations | |
| Later work | |
William Robert Caddy (August 8, 1925 – March 3, 1945) was a United States Marine who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest decoration for valor, for his actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Born in Quincy, Massachusetts, Caddy joined the Marine Corps in 1943 and served as a rifleman with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division.
Medal of Honor
On March 3, 1945, Caddy advanced under heavy machine-gun and small-arms fire and took cover in a shell hole with his platoon leader and another Marine, where they were pinned down by a sniper. During an exchange of hand grenades a Japanese grenade fell into the shell hole; Caddy threw himself upon it, absorbing the blast to protect his comrades, and was killed.
Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Rifleman with Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-sixth Marines, Fifth Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 3 March 1945. Consistently aggressive, Private First Class Caddy boldly defied shattering Japanese machine-gun and small-arms fire to move forward with his platoon leader and another Marine during a determined advance of his company through an isolated sector and, gaining the comparative safety of a shell hole, took temporary cover with his comrades. Immediately pinned down by deadly sniper fire from a well-concealed position, he made several unsuccessful attempts to again move forward and then, joined by his platoon leader, engaged the enemy in a fierce exchange of hand grenades until a Japanese grenade fell in the shell hole. Fearlessly disregarding all personal danger, Private First Class Caddy instantly threw himself upon the deadly missile, absorbing the exploding charge in his own body and protecting the others from serious injury. Stouthearted and indomitable, he unhesitatingly yielded his own life that his fellow Marines might carry on the relentless battle against a fanatic enemy. His dauntless courage and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death reflects the highest credit upon Private First Class Caddy and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.