FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: William D Halyburton, Jr ~ October 8, 2012

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[Kathy in Alaska]

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~ Hall of Heroes ~

William D. Halyburton, Jr.

Info from here.

           

William David Halyburton, Jr., (October 2, 1924 – May 10, 1945) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in World War II. He earned the medal while serving as a corpsman attached to a U.S. Marine Corps unit in the Battle of Okinawa.

Born on August 2, 1924, in Canton, North Carolina, Halyburton attended Canton Presbyterian Church before moving to Wilmington, North Carolina. He entered seminary at Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, but left to enlist in the U.S. Naval Reserve in August 1943. Completing recruit training at the Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, Maryland, he was promoted to seaman second class in the fall. Remaining in the area, he attended the Hospital Corps School and was rated a pharmacist's mate third class. Receiving additional training, he was promoted to pharmacist's mate second class and departed for the Pacific war zone in December 1944 on board the transport USS General M. M. Patrick. Arriving in the area, he joined the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.

On May 10, 1945, Halyburton served with a Marine rifle company against the Japanese on Okinawa when they suffered numerous casualties after advancing into Awacha Draw. Exposed to enemy fire, he rushed to aid a fallen Marine the furthest away. Shielding the man with his own body while administering aid, Halyburton was mortally wounded. For this action, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. He was one of two people from Haywood County, North Carolina, to receive the medal in World War II, the other being Max Thompson.

Halyburton is buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Honolulu, Hawaii.

The USS Halyburton (FFG-40), a guided missile frigate commissioned on January 4, 1984, was named in his honor. A number of other military structures have been named for him, including Halyburton Quarters in Charleston, South Carolina; a road at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland; and a barracks at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.

A public park in Wilmington is named for him, and in his birth city of Canton, Halliburton Street was re-spelled Halyburton Street in his honor

Halyburton's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with a Marine Rifle Company in the 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, 10 May 1945. Undaunted by the deadly accuracy of Japanese counter fire as his unit pushed the attack through a strategically important draw, Halyburton unhesitatingly dashed across the draw and up the hill into an open fire-swept field where the company advance squad was suddenly pinned down under a terrific concentration of mortar, machine gun and sniper fire with resultant severe casualties. Moving steadily forward despite the enemy's merciless barrage, he reached the wounded marine who lay farthest away and was rendering first aid when his patient was struck for the second time by a Japanese bullet. Instantly placing himself in the direct line of fire, he shielded the fallen fighter with his own body and staunchly continued his ministrations although constantly menaced by the slashing fury of shrapnel and bullets falling on all sides. Alert, determined and completely unselfish in his concern for the helpless marine, he persevered in his efforts until he himself sustained mortal wounds and collapsed, heroically sacrificing himself that his comrade might live. By his outstanding valor and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds, Halyburton sustained and enhanced the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of 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! 

 

[luvie]

Hi, Kathy! I was a little tired last night, but Lauren’s hospitality and a better bed (the couch bed at the cottage was scary uncomfortable! LOL), and I’m much more rested this morning!

I shot several guns, but nothing exotic this time! :)

[luvie]

Gooood mornin', Early Birds!
Monday's not so bad if you're on vacation! LOL!
Of course, this is the day I go home
so that's a bit of a letdown.
It's been an amazing FReeper weekend!
Hope all of you have a grrrrrreat week!
(A little Tony-the-Tiger there ;) )
((((hugs))))

[E.G.C.]

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

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning LUV and (((HUGS))). Have a safe trip home from the shoot.

[luvie]

Howdy, EGC! ((((hugs))))

It’s going well. Here in Ft. Worth waiting for time to go to
the airport and fly home. We all had a wonderful time at the
TC Memorial Shoot this past weekend!

Hope you and Bo are enjoying the cooler weather! I sure am!

[luvie]

Howdy, Arrow! (((hugs)))

Thanks...I’m just not ready for the weekend of fun to end! But
tomorrow it’s back to the salt....er, silver...mine! :)

[HiJinx]

Phoenix - 74^o F. at 8:30 in the morning. Looks like it's going to be another very warm day in the Valley of the Sun.

Yesterday was a scorcher...I'm glad to be back down here this morning!

Piper and her Mom are living here, too, now. We get to take her to dinner for her 9th birthday tomorrow!

[ConorMacNessa]

Great News! The cast is off! The ankle is really stiff, to say the least.



Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

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)

[blackie]

Thaks Kathy!

{{HUGS}}

[Kathy in Alaska]

Woohoo!!! Do you feel 20 pounds lighter? Now for the fun of rehab.

Are you off work today? Enjoy the rest of the day. *HUGS*

[ConorMacNessa]

I do indeed! The Dr. thinks I can walk out the stiffness. I am off today - back to the grind tomorrow!



Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

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)

[luvie]

Awesome news, Conor! I know it feels better even if it is stiff! :)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good afternoon, tom....great Columbus Day graphic. LOL!!

[ConorMacNessa]

Yes - much better! Already easier to get around.



Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

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 afternoon, Arrowhead...((HUGS))

Does Murfie have her fall coat?

[AZamericonnie]

Oh Jinx I was soooo happy this early morning to be able to open the windows...ahhhh....fresh air!

It looks like the cooling trend is finally going to kick in this weekend.

Was up in Jerome on Friday & it was so nice & cool there.

I finally got some pie at Rock Springs! LOL

[HiJinx]

Oh, man, pie at Rock Springs cafe! What a treat!
You were in Jerome? You were literally a stone’s throw from Nana’s sister’s place in Cottonwood. We’ve heard about it being cooler there.

[AZamericonnie]

Jack Daniels pecan pie.....heaven! Cute lil place.

I really like Cottonwood. It has a nice feel. Course Jerome is nothing but a tourist spot anymore. Lot’s of gift shops & hippies. :)

I can’t believe the Cupcake Commando is going to be 9 yrs....where does the time go?

[AZamericonnie]

WooHoo!!!! Great news Conor!

[ConorMacNessa]

Thanks very much, Connie! It's quite a relief to get rid of it!



Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

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)