Meet the Men Who Saved Their Fellow Americans During Iwo Jima

By Chris Lange Published Feb 8, 9:10AM EST

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Meet the Men Who Saved Their Fellow Americans During Iwo Jima — © jorik / Shutterstock.com

Many countries were at war during WWII, including the European nations of Germany, Italy, France, and Britain. One of the most contentious conflicts existed between the United States of America and Japan. This escalating conflict began when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and America had no choice but to enter the growing World War. The bombing in Hawaii was indicative of Japan’s conquest to dominate large portions of Asia. Americans sought to reclaim territory that Japan had successfully power-grabbed, resulting in a handful of infamous battles.

One such battle was Iwo Jima, which took place in the Pacific Theatre towards the end of the massive global war, from mid-February to March 26 of 1945. Ima Jima, an island off the coast of Japan, was home to Japanese airfields. Based on their strategic location, these airfields were a potential threat to America. As U.S. troops sought to take control of the island, the Japanese fought hard, using a number of tunnels strategically built into the island. Though the U.S. emerged victorious, it was at the cost of thousands of lives. These are the heroes who helped win this historic battle.

Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at the Medal of Honor recipients from the Battle of Iwo Jima. 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society (CMOHS) to identify the servicemen that were awarded the Medal of Honor in the Battle of Iwo Jima. We included the names of these recipients as well as what branch of the military they served in, the highest rank, the date of medal presentation, and the conflict the recipient was involved in. Recipients are ordered alphabetically, and all information is from the society. Note that some presentation dates were not available from the CMOHS.

Here is a look at the Medal of Honor recipients from the Battle of Iwo Jima:

Why Are We Covering This?

Veterans Day. US soldier. US Army. The United States Armed Forces. American Military

The stories of Medal of Honor recipients and the significance of the medal itself is central to the U.S. military ethos. These recipients and their stories are an inspiration, “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty.” It’s important to appreciate the profound sacrifices that these men made in service to the nation. The Medal of Honor symbolizes the courage, selflessness, and resilience that define the highest ideals of military service. Again, these stories serve as powerful reminders of the values we aspire to as a society even in the face of adversity.

Charles J. Berry

Medal of Honor action date: March 3, 1945
Date of presentation: N/A
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Corporal
State accredited: Ohio

William R. Caddy

Medal of Honor action date: March 3, 1945
Date of presentation: September 8, 1946
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Private First Class
State accredited: Massachusetts

Justice M. Chambers

Medal of Honor action date: February 19-22, 1945
Date of presentation: November 1, 1950
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Colonel
State accredited: Washington D.C.

Darrell S. Cole

Medal of Honor action date: February 19, 1945
Date of presentation: April 17, 1947
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Sergeant
State accredited: Missouri

Robert H. Dunlap

Medal of Honor action date: February 20-21, 1945
Date of presentation: December 18, 1945
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Major
State accredited: Illinois

Ross F. Gray

Medal of Honor action date: February 21, 1945
Date of presentation: April 16, 1946
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Sergeant
State accredited: Alabama

William G. Harrell

Medal of Honor action date: March 3, 1945
Date of presentation: October 5, 1945
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Sergeant
State accredited: Texas

Rufus G. Herring

Medal of Honor action date: February 17, 1945
Date of presentation: September 17, 1945
Military branch: U.S. Navy
Highest rank achieved: Lieutenant
State accredited: North Carolina

Douglas T. Jacobson

Medal of Honor action date: February 26, 1945
Date of presentation: October 5, 1945
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Major
State accredited: New York

Joseph R. Julian

Medal of Honor action date: March 9, 1945
Date of presentation: November 16, 1945
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Platoon Sergeant
State accredited: Massachusetts

James D. La Belle

Medal of Honor action date: March 8, 1945
Date of presentation: N/A
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Private First Class
State accredited: Minnesota

John H. Leims

Medal of Honor action date: March 7, 1945
Date of presentation: June 14, 1946
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Second Lieutenant
State accredited: Illinois

Jacklyn H. Lucas

Medal of Honor action date: February 20, 1945
Date of presentation: October 5, 1945
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Private First Class
State accredited: Virginia

Jack Lummus

Medal of Honor action date: March 8, 1945
Date of presentation: N/A
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: First Lieutenant
State accredited: Texas

Harry L. Martin

Medal of Honor action date: March 26, 1945
Date of presentation: N/A
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: First Lieutenant
State accredited: Ohio

Joseph J. McCarthy

Medal of Honor action date: February 21, 1945
Date of presentation: October 5, 1945
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Brigadier General
State accredited: Illinois

George Phillips

United States Air Force medal of honor with case.

Medal of Honor action date: March 14, 1945
Date of presentation: N/A
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Private
State accredited: Missouri

Francis J. Pierce

Medal of Honor action date: March 15-16, 1945
Date of presentation: June 25, 1948
Military branch: U.S. Navy
Highest rank achieved: Pharmacist’s Mate First Class
State accredited: Iowa

Donald J. Ruhl

Medal of Honor action date: February 19-21, 1945
Date of presentation: N/A
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Private First Class
State accredited: Montana

Franklin E. Sigler

Medal of Honor action date: March 14, 1945
Date of presentation: October 5, 1945
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Private First Class
State accredited: New Jersey

Tony Stein

Medal of Honor action date: February 19, 1945
Date of presentation: February 19, 1946
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Corporal
State accredited: Ohio

George E. Wahlen

Medal of Honor action date: March 3, 1945
Date of presentation: October 5, 1945
Military branch: U.S. Navy
Highest rank achieved: Major
State accredited: Utah

William G. Walsh

Medal of Honor action date: February 27, 1945
Date of presentation: N/A
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Gunnery Sergant
State accredited: Massachusetts

Wilson D. Watson

Medal of Honor action date: February 26-27, 1945
Date of presentation: October 5, 1945
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Staff Sergeant
State accredited: Arkansas

Hershel Woodrow “Woody” Williams

Medal of Honor action date: February 23, 1945
Date of presentation: October 5, 1945
Military branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Highest rank achieved: Chief Warrant Officier Four
State accredited: West Virginia

Jack Williams

Medal of Honor action date: March 3, 1945
Date of presentation: N/A
Military branch: U.S. Naval Reserve
Highest rank achieved: Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class
State accredited: Arkansas

John H. Willis

Medal of Honor action date: February 28, 1945
Date of presentation: December 12, 1945
Military branch: U.S. Navy
Highest rank achieved: Pharmacist’s Mate First Class
State accredited: Tennessee

About the Author Chris Lange →

Chris Lange is a writer for 24/7 Wall St., based in Houston. He has covered financial markets over the past decade with an emphasis on healthcare, tech, and IPOs. During this time, he has published thousands of articles with insightful analysis across these complex fields. Currently, Lange's focus is on military and geopolitical topics.

Lange's work has been quoted or mentioned in Forbes, The New York Times, Business Insider, USA Today, MSN, Yahoo, The Verge, Vice, The Intelligencer, Quartz, Nasdaq, The Motley Fool, Fox Business, International Business Times, The Street, Seeking Alpha, Barron’s, Benzinga, and many other major publications.

A graduate of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, Lange majored in business with a particular focus on investments. He has previous experience in the banking industry and startups.