MoH

[Subdeacon Joe]

McTureous, without orders, filled his pockets with grenades and charged uphill into the enemy position. 

It’s#MarineMonday , and today we highlight Pvt Robert Miller McTureous, Jr. who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on 7 June 1945 during the Battle of Okinawa. His nine-month career in the Corps began when he was inducted into the Marine Corps on 31 August 1944. At Parris Island, McTureous qualified as a sharpshooter on both the M-1 rifle and the Browning Automatic Rifle.

McTureous and his unit didn’t participate in the initial landing on Okinawa, but arrived on May 15th. While on the island, McTureous joined Company H, 3d Battalion, 29th Marines of the 6th Marine Division, his first permanent unit. Seven days later, his unit took part in the capture of an important hill on the Oroku Peninsula, sustaining heavy casualties.

During this engagement, McTureous’ company was pinned down. Realizing the wounded needed to be moved to the rear, McTureous, without orders, filled his pockets with grenades and charged uphill into the enemy position. Running from cave to cave, he threw grenades into the enemy position until he fell to a stomach wound. Refusing to call out for help, he crawled to a sheltered position, killing six Japanese soldiers in the process before receiving medical attention.

Four days later, after being evacuated to a hospital ship, McTureous succumbed to his wounds on 11 June 1945. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, which was presented to his parents at a ceremony in Altoona, Florida on 7 August 1946.
Camp McTureous on the Marine Corps’ base on Okinawa, is named in his honor.

Semper Fi, Marine.

 

 

 

William Hawkins was awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor for his actions on this day in 1943 during the Battle of Tarawa. He was 29 years old.

 

His citation reads:

 

"First Lieutenant Hawkins unhesitatingly moved forward under heavy enemy fire at the end of the Betio Pier, neutralizing emplacements in coverage of troops assaulting the main beach positions. Fearlessly leading his men on to join the forces fighting desperately to gain a beachhead, he repeatedly risked his life throughout the day and night to direct and lead attacks on pill boxes and installations with grenades and demolition. At dawn on the following day, First Lieutenant Hawkins returned to the dangerous mission of clearing the limited beachhead of Japanese resistance, personally initiating an assault on a hostile fortified by five enemy machine guns and, crawling forward in the face of withering fire, boldly fired point-blank into the loopholes and completed the destruction with grenades. Refusing to withdraw after being seriously wounded in the chest during this skirmish, First Lieutenant Hawkins steadfastly carried the fight to the enemy, destroying three more pill boxes before he was caught in a burst of Japanese shell fire and mortally wounded. His relentless fighting spirit in the face of formidable opposition and his exceptionally daring tactics were an inspiration to his comrades during the most crucial phase of the battle and reflect the highest credit upon the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."

 

We are eternally grateful for his service to our country. Rest in peace, Sir.

 

#WWII #MedalOfHonor #OnThisDay #WeRememberThem

 

[Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474]

One can't help but marvel at the devotion to duty of these men.