William David Halyburton USN (1924 - 1945)

Born 2 Aug 1924 in Canton, Haywood, North Carolina, United States

Died 10 May 1945 at age 20 in Okinawa, Japan

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Biography

PhM2c William Halyburton USN was Killed in Action during World War II.

William Halyburton USN was awarded the Medal of Honor.

William David Halyburton Jr. was born on 2 August 1924 in Canton, North Carolina. The oldest of three boys and it appears that he had a sister who was born May 21, 1931 as given by North Carolina Birth Indexes, 1800-2000. Unfortunately it doesn't list her name just her DOB and location of birth, it also gives the names of her parents (Mae Pless and William Halyburton). The US Census of 1940 gives her name as Jean while the Florida State Census of 1945 gives her name as Margaret.

William graduated from New Hanover High School, NC where he played basketball and was in the ROTC. William was also in the following clubs during his time there: band, debate, chemistry and bible. He briefly attended Davidson College, NC before he enlisted in the U. S. Naval Reserve as an apprentice seaman on 4 August 1943 in Raleigh, North Carolina. One week later, he transferred to the Naval Training Station, Bainbridge, Maryland, where he advanced to seaman second class.

While he trained at the Hospital Corps School, also in Bainbridge, he was advanced to pharmacist’s mate third class. He studied at several training centers over the next two years and was advanced to pharmacist’s mate second class on 1 August 1944. After combat training at Camp Pendleton, California, PhM2c Halyburton embarked aboard the transport USS General M. M. Patrick on 14 December 1944 to join the 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, which was leaving for duty on the island of Okinawa.

Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Halyburton landed with the Marines during the invasion of Okinawa in April 1945. On 10 May, as his company attacked a significant objective, he moved in the open through deadly enemy machine gun, mortar, and small arms fire to reach the wounded. In order to protect a badly wounded patient, PhM2c Halyburton shielded the Marine with his own body despite the danger of incoming rounds and shell fragments. He continued to administer aid until he himself suffered a mortal wound. For heroically sacrificing his life so that Marines might live, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Halyburton was laid to rest in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii on March 9, 1949 in section O, site 274.

In addition to the Medal of Honor, PhM2c Halyburton’s awards included the Purple Heart Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. The guided missile frigate USS Halyburton (FFG-40) was launched on 30 October 1981. The Halyburton Naval Hospital at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, was also named in his honor.

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Sources

1. North Carolina Birth Indexes, 1800-2000. Gives full name, location and DOB, and names of parents. Gives DOB on all of his siblings including his sister.

2. US Census, 1930. Age 5 living with parents.

3. US Census, 1940. Age 15 lodging in residence of Minnie Millon.

4. US School Yearbooks, 1880-2012, New Hanover High School 1943, Wilmington, North Carolina. Gives school activities.

5. US WWII Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1947. Gives full name, residence, DOB and address of father in Florida. Also gives physical description.

6. Florida State Census, 1945. Shows living with parents in Dade County Florida. Gives occupation as Navy, was well as his two other brothers. Depending on when this census was taken he may have already been killed on Okinawa.

7. US Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798-1958. Gives names of units and dates assigned.

8. Who's Who in the Marine Corps, Marine Corps University, History Branch. Gives biography information and picture of Halyburton.

9. Honolulu, Hawaii, National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, 1941-2011. Gives DOB and DOD. Gives name, rank, branch of service and period of service.

10. US Veterans Gravesites, 1775-2006. Gives interment date and gravesite location.

11. Find a Grave Memorial #7775427.

12. Frigate Photo Index FFG-40 USS Halyburton. Gives information on USS Halyburton, picture of FFG-40 and Mae Pless Halyburton.