List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Battle of Iwo Jima

The Battle of Iwo Jima took place in February and March 1945 during World War II. Some of the fiercest fighting of the war happened during this battle. The American invasion was called Operation Detachment. It was charged with capturing the airfields on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima.

The Imperial Japanese Army positions on the island were heavily fortified. There were vast bunkers with hidden artillery. It had 18 kilometers (11 mi) of tunnels. The battle was the first American attack on the Japanese Home Islands. The Imperial soldiers defended their positions tenaciously. Of the 21,000 Japanese soldiers present at the beginning of the battle, over 20,000 were killed. Only 216 were taken prisoner.

The battle lasted 2 months. After the battle 27 U.S. military personnel received the Medal of Honor for their actions. Of the 27 medals presented, 22 were presented to Marines. Five were presented to United States Navy sailors. A full 30% of the 82 Medals of Honor presented to Marines in World War II were from this battle.

The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War. It is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. The recipient must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy of the United States. Due to the nature of this medal, it is commonly presented after the recipient is killed (posthumously).

Recipients

Image Name Service Rank Date of action UnitNotes75px|alt=black and white headshot of Charles Berry in his military uniformMarine CorpsE-04Corporal05-26-011st Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine DivisionThe Erie Avenue Bridge in Lorain, Ohio was renamed in 1988 to the Charles Berry Bridge in honor of Cpl Berry, a native son of the city.75px|alt=black and white headshot of William Caddy in his military uniformMarine Corps ReserveE-02Private First Class05-26-03-ICompany I, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine DivisionSacrificed his life to save the lives of his platoon leader and platoon sergeant75px|alt=black and white headshot of Justice Chambers in his military uniformMarine Corps ReserveO-05Lieutenant Colonel01945-02-19February 19–22, 194504-25-033d Assault Battalion Landing Team, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine DivisionLed the 8-hour battle to carry the flanking ridge top and reduce the enemy's fields of aimed fire, thus protecting the vital foothold gained75px|alt=black and white headshot of Darrell Cole in his military uniformMarine Corps ReserveE-05Sergeant04-23-01-BCompany B, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine DivisionNamesake of 75px|alt=black and white headshot of Robert Dunlap in his military uniformMarine Corps ReserveO-03Captain01945-02-20February 20–21, 194505-26-01-CCompany C, 1st Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine DivisionRisked his life to gather intelligence about and direct fire on, enemy gun positionsMarine Corps ReserveE-05Sergeant04-25-01-ACompany A, 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine DivisionSingle-handedly overcame a strong enemy garrison and completely disarmed a large mine field before finally rejoining his unit.Marine CorpsE-05Sergeant05-28-01-ACompany A, 1st Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine DivisionRisked his life to defend his position against a larger enemy force75px|alt=black and white headshot of Rufus Herring in his military uniformUSNRO-02Lieutenant, Junior GradeMaintained position in the firing line with his 20-mm guns in action in the face of sustained enemy fire and conned his crippled ship to safety75px|alt=black and white headshot of Douglas Jacobson in his military uniformMarine Corps ReserveE-02Private First Class04-23-033rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine DivisionRisked his life by destroying a total of sixteen enemy positions and approximately seventy-five JapaneseMarine Corps ReserveE-06Platoon Sergeant05-27-011st Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine DivisionSacrificed his life to eliminate an enemy threatMarine Corps ReserveE-02Private First Class05-27-WWeapons Company, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine DivisionSacrificed his life to save a group of his fellow Marines by diving on a grenadeMarine Corps ReserveO-01Second Lieutenant03-09-01-BCompany B, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine DivisionRisked his life to rescue several wounded Marines75px|alt=black and white headshot of Jacklyn Lucas in his military uniformMarine Corps ReserveE-02Private First Class05-26-011st Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine DivisionCovered two Japanese grenades with his body. Survived the blast of the one that exploded. Youngest recipient since the Civil War (turned 17 just 5 days before Iwo Jima D-Day)Marine Corps ReserveO-02First Lieutenant05-27-022nd Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine DivisionHad earlier played football for the New York Giants75px|alt=black and white headshot of Harry Martin in his military uniformMarine Corps ReserveO-02First Lieutenant05-5P-CCompany C, 5th Pioneer Battalion, 5th Marine DivisionSacrificed his life to help rescue some of his men who had been overrun by the enemy.Marine Corps ReserveO-03Captain04-24-022nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine DivisionRisked his life to eliminate several enemy troops so his men could move forwardMarine Corps ReserveE-01Private05-28-022nd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine DivisionSacrificed his life to save the lives of fellow MarinesNavyE-06Pharmacist's Mate First Class01945-03-15March 15–16, 194504-24-022nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine DivisionRisked his life to save several wounded servicemembers and volunteered for a mission to eliminate an enemy threatMarine Corps ReserveE-02Private First Class01945-02-19February 19–21, 194505-28-02-ECompany E, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine DivisionSaved several of his fellow Marines by sacrificing his life and diving on an enemy grenadeMarine Corps ReserveE-01Private05-26-022nd Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine DivisionLed a charge against an enemy gun installation which had held up the advance of his company for several daysMarine Corps ReserveE-04Corporal05-28-01Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine DivisionFirst Medal of Honor of Iwo Jima. Namesake of 75px|alt=black and white headshot of George Wahlen in his military uniformNavyE-05Pharmacist's Mate Second Class05-26-022nd Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine DivisionAlthough seriously wounded he risked his life to save the lives of several other servicemembersMarine Corps ReserveE-07Gunnery Sergeant05-27-03-GCompany G, 3rd Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine DivisionSacrificed his life to save a group of fellow MarinesMarine Corps ReserveE-01Private01945-02-26February 26–27, 194503-09-022nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine DivisionRisked his life fighting the enemy single-handedly for 15 minutes until his platoon could catch up to himMarine Corps ReserveE-04Corporal03-21-011st Battalion, 21st Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine DivisionRisked his life attacking the enemy for 4 hours to minimize unit casualties75px|alt=black and white headshot of Jack Williams in his military uniformUSNRE-04Pharmacist's Mate Third Class05-28-033rd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine DivisionKilled while performing first aid to a wounded Marine75px|alt=black and white headshot of John Willis in his military uniformNavyE-06Pharmacist's Mate First Class05-27-033rd Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine DivisionKilled by a grenade while assisting a wounded Marine

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