John Harlan Willis USN (1921 - 1945)

Born 10 Jun 1921 in Columbia, Tennessee, United States

Husband of Winfrey Alberta (Morel) Willis — married 1944 (to 28 Feb 1945) in Oceanside, California

Died 28 Feb 1945 at age 23 in Iwo Jima

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John Willis USN was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Biography

PhM1c John Willis USN was Killed in Action during World War II.

John Willis USN is Notable.

Before I start John's biography I want to say that the "doc's" I served with in the Marines were some of the most extraordinary people I had the pleasure to work with.

John Harlan Willis was born on June 10, 1921 in Columbia, Tennessee. He graduated from high school there prior to enlisting in the Navy on November 5, 1940. After receiving recruit training at Norfolk, Virginia he was transferred to Hospital Corps School at Norfolk Naval Hospital at Portsmouth, Virginia. In March of 1941 he was transferred to the Naval Hospital at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. During the next two years he served at various posts as well as advancing through the ranks until getting promoted to Pharmacist First Class on July 1, 1943.

In November of 1943 he was transferred to Training Detachment, Field Medical School Battalion Camp Elliott, California. By April of 1944 he showed up on the rolls of Headquarters Company 3rd Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division Camp Pendleton, California. The rolls also show that by October 1944 that unit was deployed.

Sometime prior to his overseas deployment John married his high school sweetheart Winfrey Morel in Oceanside, California. When his unit deployed she returned to Columbia, Tennessee.

On the morning of February 19, 1945 the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions went ashore to the volcanic sand that were the beaches of Iwo Jima. It's three airfields allowed Japanese fighters to intercept long range B-29 Superfortress bombers and it's capture would not only stop that but also provide a staging area for attacks on the Japanese main islands. The five week battle saw some of the bloodiest and fiercest fighting in the Pacific theater. American losses were 6,821 killed in action and 19,217 wounded. Joe Rosenthal's picture of 5 Marines and 1 Navy Corpsman raising the American Flag on top of Mount Suribachi became an "iconic" symbol of the Marine Corps.

He was with his unit when they were heavily engaged in a fierce battle for Hill 362A on February 28. Numerous Marines were wounded and John resolutely administered aid to them until wounded himself and was ordered back to the aid station. Despite suffering from shrapnel wounds and disregarding orders to stay he returned to his unit to continue helping the wounded. Spotting a fallen Marine in a shell hole on the extreme front line he went forward to his aid despite heavy mortar and sniper fire. He was administering blood plasma to the Marine when a grenade landed in the hole with them, Willis quickly grabbed it and threw it back at the Japanese. As he continued giving aid to the wounded Marine he threw back seven more grenades, the ninth one exploded in his hand and killed him instantly. For his selfless devotion to duty Pharmacists Mate First Class John H. Willis was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. He was 23 years old.

In March of 1945 Winfrey Morel Willis, seven months pregnant, learned of Johns death and at the end of the year she traveled to Washington, D. C. were she received his medal from Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal.

John Harlan Willis is buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, Columbia, Maury County, Tennessee.

The USS John Willis DE-1027 (Dealey class destroyer escort) was named in his honor and was in service from 1957 to 1973.

This profile is a collaborative work-in-progress. Can you contribute information or sources?

Sources

1. US Census, 1930. Gives fathers name as A L Willis Jr. Gives grandfathers name as A L Willis Sr., grandfather is living with them. Gives mothers name.

2. US Census, 1940. Gives Fathers name as John Willis.

3. US Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798-1958. Gives rank and units from 1 Jan 1944 to 30 Jan 1945.

4. Naval Historical Center. Gives biography and citation of John H. Willis.

5. Marine Corps University, History Division (Who's who in the Marine Corps). Gives biography and picture of John H. Willis.

6. Hawaii Reporter article written by Duane A. Vachon, PH.D. dated July 28, 2013. Gives biography and picture of Winfrey receiving John's medal.

7. Find a Grave Memorial #7834341. Gives full name, date of birth, date of death and interment location.

8. US Headstone Application for Military Veterans, 1925-1963. Gives name, date of birth, date of death, rank, branch of service, serial number, name of cemetery and shows signature of father (A L Willis Jr).

9. Find a Grave Memorial #119102931. Winfrey Alberta Morel Willis. Gives biography of Winfrey.

10. USS John Willis website. Gives pictures of DE-1027.