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FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: John H. Willis ~ March 5, 2012
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !!
| StarCMC
Posted on 03/04/2012 4:59:51 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska
For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces. Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today! |
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~ Hall of Heroes ~ John H. Willis
Info from here.
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John Harlan Willis was born on 10 June 1921 in Columbia, Tennessee. Following graduation from high school, in November 1940 he enlisted from that state as an Apprentice Seaman in the U.S. Navy. He received recruit training at Naval Training Station, Norfolk, Virginia and corpsman training at the Norfolk Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, Virginia. In March 1941, Willis was promoted to Seaman, Second Class and was briefly assigned to the Naval Hospital, Parris Island, South Carolina, transferring to Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida in the late spring. In August 1941 he was promoted to Hospital Apprentice First Class and, in December, to Pharmacist's Mate Third Class. After receiving a promotion to Pharmacist's Mate Second Class in September 1942, Willis served with Naval Operating Base Units, organizing and training units for overseas service. In July 1943 he was promoted to Pharmacist's Mate First Class. That November he joined the Training Detachment, Field Medical School Battalion, Fleet Marine Force Training Center at Camp Elliot, San Diego, California, transferring in early 1944 to Headquarters Company, Third Battalion, Twenty-seventh Marines, Fifth Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California. With his unit, he participated as a Platoon Corpsman in the battle of Iwo Jima. On 28 February 1945, while aiding fallen Marines during a fierce action near Japanese-held Hill 362, he was wounded and ordered back to the battle-aid station. Disregarding his injuries, Willis returned to the battle area to resume casualty assistance. He was helping a wounded Marine when the enemy attacked with hand grenades. After throwing eight grenades back at the enemy, he was killed when one exploded in his hand. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life, " he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. John H. Willis is buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, Columbia, Tennessee. USS John Willis (DE-1027), 1957-1973, was named in honor of Pharmacist's Mate First Class John H. Willis. |
Medal of Honor citation of Pharmacist's Mate First Class John Harlan Willis, USN: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Platoon Corpsman serving with the Third Battalion, Twenty-seventh Marines, FIFTH 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 front lines under mortar and sniper fire to aid a Marine lying wounded in a shell-hole. 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 seven more in quick succession before the ninth one 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 peformance of duty reflect the highest credit upon WILLIS and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country." |
Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families. This is a politics-free zone! Thanks for helping us in our mission! |
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; heroes; military; troopsupport
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To: Kathy in Alaska
Good morning Troops, Veterans and Canteeners.* * * * * * * * * * * *
Our Flag Flying Proudly One Nation Under God
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Lord, Please Bless Our Troops, They're fighting for our Freedom.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
God Bless Our Republic
Prayers going up
2
posted on
03/04/2012 5:01:08 PM PST
by
HopeandGlory
(Hey, Liberals . . . PC died on 9/11 . . . GET USED TO IT!!!)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Hello Everybody!
(((HUGS)))
To: Kathy in Alaska
Aloha Night Owl!
4
posted on
03/04/2012 5:02:55 PM PST
by
BIGLOOK
(Keelhaul Congress!)
To: StarCMC; ConorMacNessa; MoJo2001; 007; 1 FELLOW FREEPER; 11B3; 1FreeAmerican; 1stbn27; 2111USMC; ...
Please note: The author of the Hall of Heroes is StarCMC. Please thank StarCMC for todays thread.
Thanks to ConorMacNessa for bringing this hero to our attention.
~ Hall of Heroes: John H Willis ~
FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT
Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.
CLICK HERE TO FIND LATEST THREADS
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To every service man or woman reading this thread.
Thank You for your service to our country.
No matter where you are stationed,
No matter what your job description
Know that we are are proud of each and everyone of you.
To our military readers, we remain steadfast
in keeping the Canteen doors open. The FR Canteen is Free Republic's longest running daily thread
specifically designed to provide entertainment and moral support for the military.
The doors have been open since Oct 7 2001,
the day of the start of the war in Afghanistan.
We are indebted to you for your sacrifices for our Freedom.
NOTE: CANTEEN MUSIC
Posted daily and on the Music Thread
for the enjoyment of our troops and visitors.
5
posted on
03/04/2012 5:06:07 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska; AZamericonnie; LUV W
Center>
6
posted on
03/04/2012 5:11:27 PM PST
by
SandRat
(Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
To: Kathy in Alaska
7
posted on
03/04/2012 5:12:56 PM PST
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in Battle!)
To: All
8
posted on
03/04/2012 5:16:17 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: SoldierDad; arbee4bush; vigilante2; Jemian; Old_Professor; mystery-ak; freema; kalee; ...
9
posted on
03/04/2012 5:34:33 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
10
posted on
03/04/2012 5:36:07 PM PST
by
mountainlion
(I am voting for Sarah after getting screwed again by the DC Thugs.)
To: mountainlion
11
posted on
03/04/2012 5:39:11 PM PST
by
mountainlion
(I am voting for Sarah after getting screwed again by the DC Thugs.)
To: HopeandGlory
12
posted on
03/04/2012 5:52:47 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
Hand Salute rendered to PM/1 John H. Willis, USN!
Rest in Peace, Brother and Semper Fi!
Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!
Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)
13
posted on
03/04/2012 5:53:26 PM PST
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in Battle!)
To: Kathy in Alaska; laurenmarlowe; BIGLOOK; alfa6; EsmeraldaA; SandRat; mylife; TMSuchman; PROCON; ...
REST IN PEACE, FALLEN BROTHER!
Cpl. Conner T. Lowry, USMC, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, KIA Afghanistan 1Mar2012
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV)
Eternal Father, Strong to Save
Rest in Peace, fallen brother, rest in peace! We who remain hold you in high honor. Rest, fallen brother, in this sacred precinct; We who remain keep this place sacred. Rest, fallen brother, among these, your comrades; We who remain keep the watch. Rest, fallen brother, amid these who heeded the Nations call; We who remain press the fight forward in your name. Rest, fallen brother, lay down thy burden; We who remain have taken up the torch. Rest in Peace, fallen brother, rest in eternal peace!
Taps
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Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!
Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)
14
posted on
03/04/2012 6:07:52 PM PST
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in Battle!)
To: left that other site
Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...did you have lessons today, or are you still on the sick list?
Hope you and Linda were able to go for walks.
15
posted on
03/04/2012 6:13:58 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: SandRat
Got THAT right, Sandy! :)
16
posted on
03/04/2012 6:14:25 PM PST
by
luvie
(This space reserved for heroes............my AF son....our troops....the vets from all wars...)
To: Kathy in Alaska; StarCMC
Saluting another of our wonderful military heroes!
Thanks, Galz, for making us aware of his brave service!
17
posted on
03/04/2012 6:18:35 PM PST
by
luvie
(This space reserved for heroes............my AF son....our troops....the vets from all wars...)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list
The Dalton Gang
March 5, 2012
The Dalton brothers were infamous outlaws during the late 1800s in the US. They started out on the right side of the law as officers. But then they followed a gradual descent into crime and became known for bank and train robberies. Their day of reckoning came when they tried to hold up two banks at once. Hearing of the robberies, the townspeople armed themselves and began to fire on the Dalton Gang. When the smoke cleared, Emmett Dalton was the sole survivor.
After serving 15 years in the penitentiary, Emmett was pardoned and set free. While in prison, he had come to see the error of his ways. So when he was released, he wanted to deter young people from a life of crime. Drawing from his own experience, Emmett wrote and starred in a film about the Dalton Gang in which he showed the folly of being an outlaw. In many ways, Emmetts film was telling others: Do not enter the path of the wicked (Prov. 4:14).
In a similar way, when we have sinned but have genuinely repented and experienced Gods forgiveness, we can tell our own story. We can encourage others not to make the same mistakes we have made. James wrote, He who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death (5:20).
If others learn from our mistakes, And it saves them from the pain That we ourselves experienced Then it wasnt all in vain. Sper
When we learn from our mistakes, we are less likely to repeat them.
Read: Proverbs 4:10-19
18
posted on
03/04/2012 6:20:33 PM PST
by
The Mayor
("If you can't make them see the light, let them feel the heat" — Ronald Reagan)
To: Kathy in Alaska; laurenmarlowe; BIGLOOK; alfa6; EsmeraldaA; SandRat; mylife; TMSuchman; PROCON; ...
19
posted on
03/04/2012 6:20:47 PM PST
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in Battle!)
To: ConorMacNessa
Till they ALL come home.........
20
posted on
03/04/2012 6:21:35 PM PST
by
luvie
(This space reserved for heroes............my AF son....our troops....the vets from all wars...)
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