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Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 21st Marines,
3d Marine Division. Place and date: Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 23 February
1945. Entered service at: West Virginia. Birth: 2 October 1923, Quiet Dell,
W. Va. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty as demolition sergeant serving
with the 21st Marines, 3d Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese
forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 23 February 1945. Quick to volunteer
his services when our tanks were maneuvering vainly to open a lane for
the infantry through the network of reinforced concrete pillboxes, buried
mines, and black volcanic sands, Cpl. Williams daringly went forward alone
to attempt the reduction of devastating machinegun fire from the unyielding
positions. Covered only by 4 riflemen, he fought desperately for 4 hours
under terrific enemy small-arms fire and repeatedly returned to his own
lines to prepare demolition charges and obtain serviced flamethrowers,
struggling back, frequently to the rear of hostile emplacements, to wipe
out 1 position after another. On 1 occasion, he daringly mounted a pillbox
to insert the nozzle of his flamethrower through the air vent, killing
the occupants and silencing the gun; on another he grimly charged enemy
riflemen who attempted to stop him with bayonets and destroyed them with
a burst of flame from his weapon. His unyielding determination and extraordinary
heroism in the face of ruthless enemy resistance were directly instrumental
in neutralizing one of the most fanatically defended Japanese strong points
encountered by his regiment and aided vitally in enabling his company to
reach its objective. Cpl. Williams' aggressive fighting spirit and valiant
devotion to duty throughout this fiercely contested action sustain and
enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
This data was extracted from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1973 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1973)
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