Justice M Chambers
| Justice M. Chambers | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 2, 1908 Huntington, West Virginia |
| Died | July 29, 1982 Bethesda, Maryland |
| Status | Survived |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps Reserve |
| Years of service | 1928–1930 (Navy); 1930–1946 (Marine Corps) |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Service number | 0-4796 |
| Unit | 3rd Assault Battalion Landing Team, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division |
| Commands held | |
| Battles / wars | Battle of Iwo Jima |
| Awards | Medal of Honor, Silver Star, Legion of Merit with Valor device, Purple Heart |
| Relations | |
| Later work | Retired as Colonel; buried at Arlington National Cemetery |
Justice Marion Chambers (February 2, 1908 – July 29, 1982) was an officer in the United States Marine Corps Reserve who received the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest decoration for valor, for his actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Born in Huntington, West Virginia, Chambers served in the U.S. Navy from 1928 to 1930 before joining the Marine Corps. As a lieutenant colonel he commanded the 3rd Assault Battalion Landing Team, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division, landing at Iwo Jima on D-Day, February 19, 1945.
Medal of Honor
[edit]From February 19 to 22, 1945, under furious enemy fire that inflicted heavy casualties, Chambers reorganized his battle-weary men and led them in taking the critical high ground on the right flank that dominated the landing beaches, protecting the beachhead until he was critically wounded and evacuated. He survived, later reached the rank of Colonel, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Citation
[edit]For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of the 3d Assault Battalion Landing Team, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 19 to 22 February 1945. Under a furious barrage of enemy machinegun and small-arms fire from the commanding cliffs on the right, Col. Chambers (then Lt. Col.) landed immediately after the initial assault waves of his battalion on D-day to find the momentum of the assault threatened by heavy casualties from withering Japanese artillery, mortar rocket, machinegun, and rifle fire. Exposed to relentless hostile fire, he coolly reorganized his battle-weary men, inspiring them to heroic efforts by his own valor and leading them in an attack on the critical, impregnable high ground from which the enemy was pouring an increasing volume of fire directly onto troops ashore as well as amphibious craft in succeeding waves. Constantly in the front lines encouraging his men to push forward against the enemy's savage resistance, Col. Chambers 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. In constant defiance of hostile fire while reconnoitering the entire regimental combat team zone of action, he maintained contact with adjacent units and forwarded vital information to the regimental commander. His zealous fighting spirit undiminished despite terrific casualties and the loss of most of his key officers, he again reorganized his troops for renewed attack against the enemy's main line of resistance and was directing the fire of the rocket platoon when he fell, critically wounded. Evacuated under heavy Japanese fire, Col. Chambers, by forceful leadership, courage, and fortitude in the face of staggering odds, was directly instrumental in insuring the success of subsequent operations of the 5th Amphibious Corps on Iwo Jima, thereby sustaining and enhancing the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.