FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: John H. Willis ~ March 5, 2012

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | StarCMC

[Kathy in Alaska]

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

~ Hall of Heroes ~

John H. Willis

Info from here.

           

John Harlan Willis was born on 10 June 1921 in Columbia, Tennessee. Following graduation from high school, in November 1940 he enlisted from that state as an Apprentice Seaman in the U.S. Navy. He received recruit training at Naval Training Station, Norfolk, Virginia and corpsman training at the Norfolk Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, Virginia. In March 1941, Willis was promoted to Seaman, Second Class and was briefly assigned to the Naval Hospital, Parris Island, South Carolina, transferring to Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida in the late spring. In August 1941 he was promoted to Hospital Apprentice First Class and, in December, to Pharmacist's Mate Third Class. After receiving a promotion to Pharmacist's Mate Second Class in September 1942, Willis served with Naval Operating Base Units, organizing and training units for overseas service. In July 1943 he was promoted to Pharmacist's Mate First Class. That November he joined the Training Detachment, Field Medical School Battalion, Fleet Marine Force Training Center at Camp Elliot, San Diego, California, transferring in early 1944 to Headquarters Company, Third Battalion, Twenty-seventh Marines, Fifth Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California.

With his unit, he participated as a Platoon Corpsman in the battle of Iwo Jima. On 28 February 1945, while aiding fallen Marines during a fierce action near Japanese-held Hill 362, he was wounded and ordered back to the battle-aid station. Disregarding his injuries, Willis returned to the battle area to resume casualty assistance. He was helping a wounded Marine when the enemy attacked with hand grenades. After throwing eight grenades back at the enemy, he was killed when one exploded in his hand. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life, " he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. John H. Willis is buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, Columbia, Tennessee.

 

 

USS John Willis (DE-1027), 1957-1973, was named in honor of Pharmacist's Mate First Class John H. Willis.

Medal of Honor citation of Pharmacist's Mate First Class
John Harlan Willis, USN:

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Platoon Corpsman serving with the Third Battalion, Twenty-seventh Marines, FIFTH 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 front lines under mortar and sniper fire to aid a Marine lying wounded in a shell-hole. 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 seven more in quick succession before the ninth one 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 peformance of duty reflect the highest credit upon WILLIS and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."

 

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 

 

[Kathy in Alaska]

Aloha, Hawaii...((HUGS))...next week you have to start dealing with DST in most of the rest of the states.

We were supposed to get to vote on it, but it still hasn’t happened. *sigh*

[AZamericonnie]

Rest In Peace our Heroes

Il Silenzio

Let Them In St. Peter

[AZamericonnie]

I sooooo need another day off Sandy! *Hugs*

[AZamericonnie]

Thank you ladies for this evenings thread!

Supporting our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen
at more than 1,000 places across the U. S. and around the world.

~Tribute to Our Troops~

[SandRat]

I need to end my seemingly perpetual days off Connie! *Hugs*

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Sand...((HUGS))...my sentiments exactly. It’s too soon for Monday.

[luvie]

Howdy...and ((((hugs)))) back! :)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Sorry, I got sidetracked...Welcome Aboard!

[ConorMacNessa]

We have taken up the Torch!

Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine :
et lux perpetua luceat eis.
In memoria æterna erit iustus,
ab auditione mala non timebit.



Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[ConorMacNessa]

Thanks very much, Kathy!

*HUGS*

Is it possible you were diverted by a certain item on Youtube?



Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[ConorMacNessa]

Good evening, Connie!

*HUGS*

Another Marine reporting for duty, Great Sir! He has surely served his time in Hell!



Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Why, I did see a good YouTube video.

Good evening, Mac...*HUGS*...hope you got some good rest this weekend.

And, I stopped to make a pizza. I deserve it after shoveling the driveway a little earlier.

[AZamericonnie]

I know you do Sandy, how someone with your skills & training can be out of work perplexes me.

Votes count & hopefully relief is in sight!

Hang in there G-Pa.....*hugs*

[SandRat]

(((HUGS))...Kathy.

[ConorMacNessa]

You deserve more than that after shoveling the driveway!



Here's a nice California Cabernet - if it's not to your taste, let me know - I have a fully stocked cabinet!



Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, mountainlion...thanks for the Johnny Cash video tune.

Hope you had a nice weekend.

[ConorMacNessa]

And, of course, good evening, Luv!

*HUGS*

I didn't mean to slight you by not including the hugs in my earlier post.:)



Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[AZamericonnie]

A very good evening to you Conor....yes another fine Marine from camp Pendleton!

One of my soldiers was transfered from the 3/5 to the 1/7 & is now deployed.

Please pray for him as you do for all our troops.

[Last of the Mohicans]

No Gallo for me please.

[ConorMacNessa]

AMERICA – LAND OF THE FREE . . .

BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!!!!

Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)