COOL DUDES I ADMIRE: JOHN HARLAN WILLIS
In November 1940, John Harlan Willis enlisted in the US Navy at the age of 19. He attended basic training in Norfolk, VA where he went onto corpsman training at the Norfolk Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, VA.
In November 1943, Willis joined the training detachment, field medical school battalion, fleet marine force training center at Camp Elliott in San Diego, CA. In early 1944, he transferred to the 3rd Battalion, 27th marine regiment, 5th marine division at Camp Pendleton, CA. With the 27th marines, he served as a platoon corpsman in the Battle of Iwo Jima. While administering aid to a wounded marine on February 28, 1945, Willis was wounded and ordered back to the battle-aid station.
Ignoring this command and disregarding his own injuries, Willis returned to battle to resume his assistance to casualties. Willis hopped in a shell-hole and began to treat a wounded marine. As the Japanese offensive got heavier and heavier, Willis calmly administered plasma to the wounded. A hostile grenade landed in the shell-hole which he promptly hurled back. Seven returned grenades later, the eighth one exploded in his hand, killing him instantly.
Willis would be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by Harry Truman. The citation read:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Platoon Corpsman serving with the 3d Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th 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 frontlines under mortar and sniper fire to aid a marine lying wounded in a shellhole. 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 7 more in quick succession before the ninth 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 performance of duty reflect the highest credit upon Willis and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
he was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery in his hometown of Columbia, TN.
