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]

Good Monday to you, beachy...((HUGS))

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

((HUGS))Good morning, Ladies. Thanks for this morning's thread, Star. How's it going?

[E.G.C.]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR B!!!!!!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT Thanks, Conor for bringing this hero to our attnetion.

[left that other site]

No...still not well at all. I shall probably have to cancel today’s lessons too. (sigh)

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning to everyone at the Canteen. º.

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, Canteen. Good morning to our

AWESOME

Military, our Allies, and their families.

THANK YOU for all you do.

Thank you, Star, for preparing the Canteen for today’s activities.
KUDOS and thank you go out to John H. Willis for his service.
May he rest in peace.

DC Metroland weather report

~ Today...Snow likely this morning...
Then a chance of rain and snow this afternoon.
Snow accumulation up to 1 inch.
Highs in the lower 40s.
Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph...
Becoming north 10 to 15 mph this afternoon.
Chance of precipitation 70 percent.

~ Tonight... Mostly clear.
Lows in the upper 20s.
Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

Snow? UGH!

Sorry I'm late. Work snagged me first thing this morning.
Now, I'll have to post and go into lurker mode.
Things are just getting way too busy anymore.
Have you noticed that we are in March already?

Time for me to make my rounds.
But, you stay right where you are.
Cause...............I'll be bock!

The FR Canteen is

Come in and sit for a while.
There's always plenty of coffee, tea,
pancakes, conversation, silliness,
and plain old BS

REMEMBER THEM

DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allied military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before.

[luvie]

Am I hidden well enough, Early Birds?
Can I stay home if "they" can't find me?
Oh, wellll....y'all have a GREAT day...
...even though it's ~~~shudder~~~MONDAY!
(((hugs)))

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Good morning, Ladies. How’s it going?

[PROCON]

Good Morning Beachie!!

I had an uneventful weekend, getting Spring fever bigtime! DST starts this weekend!

You may get some snow, huh? We're in a wet, dry, wet, dry pattern with mild temps.

Must have more coffee, you have a wonderous day!

[ConorMacNessa]

Good morning, Luv!

*HUGS*

Not a chance they'll find you! Hope you have a great day!



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 morning, Beachy!

*HUGS*

Great to see you this morning!



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)

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning ladies and (((HUGS))).

[blackie]

Thanks Kathy!

{{HUGS}}

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, EG ((HUGS))

Things are busy that’s how it is on this overcast Monday.

Howz things with you?

[E.G.C.]

Going OK. Did talk with the fence guy this morning. He tells me he’s running behind on his work. Said he’s going to try to start on the fence Tomorrow or Wednesday.

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, Pro ((HUGS))

I understand you are probably already off to work, but I just now got a break (lunch break) and am trying to catch up.

Well, my weekend was shot to heck cause on Friday my back started acting up so I was busy resting in between chores and trying to doctor the dang thing so I could get back to work this morning. Still not 100% but I’m getting an appointment with a specialist to figure out what gives.

Other than that I’m working and waiting for the weekend again.

Not looking for snow though. It’s been nice having a mild winter.

Speaking of coffee, gotta have my afternoon cup soon.

Hope you Monday is warmtastic!

[beachn4fun]

Good news that you’re getting the fence. It’ll make you feel better.

[beachn4fun]

Good afternoon, CMN ((HUGS))

Happy Monday

[beachn4fun]

Hey, check out CherryTree

Get this - a LA company that produces digital PATRIOTIC books for kids...teaching American values...