FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: William D Halyburton, Jr ~ 24-April 2023

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[Kathy in Alaska]

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~ Hall of Heroes ~

William D. Halyburton, Jr.

Info from here.

           

William David Halyburton, Jr., (October 2, 1924 – May 10, 1945) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in World War II. He earned the medal while serving as a corpsman attached to a U.S. Marine Corps unit in the Battle of Okinawa.

Born on August 2, 1924, in Canton, North Carolina, Halyburton attended Canton Presbyterian Church before moving to Wilmington, North Carolina. He entered seminary at Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, but left to enlist in the U.S. Naval Reserve in August 1943. Completing recruit training at the Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, Maryland, he was promoted to seaman second class in the fall. Remaining in the area, he attended the Hospital Corps School and was rated a pharmacist's mate third class. Receiving additional training, he was promoted to pharmacist's mate second class and departed for the Pacific war zone in December 1944 on board the transport USS General M. M. Patrick. Arriving in the area, he joined the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.

On May 10, 1945, Halyburton served with a Marine rifle company against the Japanese on Okinawa when they suffered numerous casualties after advancing into Awacha Draw. Exposed to enemy fire, he rushed to aid a fallen Marine the furthest away. Shielding the man with his own body while administering aid, Halyburton was mortally wounded. For this action, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. He was one of two people from Haywood County, North Carolina, to receive the medal in World War II, the other being Max Thompson.

Halyburton is buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Honolulu, Hawaii.

The USS Halyburton (FFG-40), a guided missile frigate commissioned on January 4, 1984, was named in his honor. A number of other military structures have been named for him, including Halyburton Quarters in Charleston, South Carolina; a road at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland; and a barracks at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.

A public park in Wilmington is named for him, and in his birth city of Canton, Halliburton Street was re-spelled Halyburton Street in his honor

Halyburton's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with a Marine Rifle Company in the 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, 10 May 1945. Undaunted by the deadly accuracy of Japanese counter fire as his unit pushed the attack through a strategically important draw, Halyburton unhesitatingly dashed across the draw and up the hill into an open fire-swept field where the company advance squad was suddenly pinned down under a terrific concentration of mortar, machine gun and sniper fire with resultant severe casualties. Moving steadily forward despite the enemy's merciless barrage, he reached the wounded marine who lay farthest away and was rendering first aid when his patient was struck for the second time by a Japanese bullet. Instantly placing himself in the direct line of fire, he shielded the fallen fighter with his own body and staunchly continued his ministrations although constantly menaced by the slashing fury of shrapnel and bullets falling on all sides. Alert, determined and completely unselfish in his concern for the helpless marine, he persevered in his efforts until he himself sustained mortal wounds and collapsed, heroically sacrificing himself that his comrade might live. By his outstanding valor and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds, Halyburton sustained and enhanced the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of 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! 

 

[Kathy in Alaska]

And rounding out the top three....Pro bags the bronze!!

[radu]

Drat! I hoped you’d gotten something more than a drizzle. :-(

It made it to 50 here today but that was a cold 50. 39 now and with the skies now clear, there’s a good chance for frost by morning. The one plowed field I’ve seen has been planted and the corn is up around 3 inches tall. He should have waited a little longer to plant. I hope it survives tonight.

We’re looking at 60s and maybe 70 a couple of times this week, then low 60s again next Sunday. We should be in the upper 70s.

Yep, I did stay inside today except when Hubby’s cousin came by with his girlfriend for a few minutes. They couldn’t come in because she’s allergic to cats. We sat in his Jeep so it wasn’t a chilly visit. LOL

[radu]

Well, it was still a break from the work grind and you were outside in the sunshine and fresh air for a bit. SO NICE to see exposed grass again! It’ll be nicer when it’s green.
And when those piles of snow are gone.

[radu]

I hope you’re luckier than we are and your warm temps stick around. Old Man Winter doesn’t want to let go down here.

Those silly pups love being spoiled when Robin’s away and you’re there to give them lotsa goodies. LOL I imagine there was some playtime in the yard now that the weather’s nicer, and they seem to love running around to put on a show for you. They are so cute.

Yes, I was at the museum Friday and Saturday but it was slow. It takes a few weeks for people to figure out we’ve reopened again after being closed all winter. Still had a good time seeing the others who work there and catching up, and meeting the folks who showed up to check out the museum.

Kittehs well-behaved? I wish! LOL Aaah, they’re pretty good for the most part but they do have their moments.

[luvie]

Yes, I was hoping for more, too, but that’s what I get for getting my hopes up. One day it’ll rain. I just wish it’d be fairly soon.

Oh, poor little corn plants. Maybe the ground isn’t as cold as it was during the winter months so it’ll survive an overnight drop in temps. I hope so. The farmers work so hard and it’s sad when the crops are ruined just like that.

[radu]

I hope it rains there soon too. The sooner, the better.

The ground isn’t as cold as it was during winter months but frost on the tiny plants will be bad regardless. It shouldn’t kill them but it’ll leave frostbite on the leaves. And it’s only one night - - not prolonged cold.
Still hoping for no frost in the area. I haven’t driven all over so don’t know if anyone else has planted yet. I did notice a few more fields along the roads I’ve been on have been worked a bit since last weekend.

[luvie]

I would imagine that those guys are chomping at the bit to get their crops started, so they don’t have a late harvest that might run into bad weather on the other end.

I think I’m going to finish up this fairly long show and go to sleep. I’m tireder than I should be. Getting up early sux...as you know. Are you back to normal tonight?

[radu]

I’d say they’re ready to get things planted but they aren’t behind schedule. They don’t plant as early as they do down there because it isn’t warm enough as early. That one guy planted his corn early. The next couple of weeks, planting should start in earnest provided it doesn’t rain too much. Can’t get that heavy equipment out in soggy fields. We do have some rain chances this week.

Get a good, long sleep. I did last night and am back to normal tonight. LOL

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening/morning, luvie...a brave hero for sure!

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good Monday morning and ((HUGS)) to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

How's everyone doing this morning?

[luvie]

One last thing....THE ARORA....Good Hope, Ill.--LiveStormMedia

[radu]

I just watched that a couple of minutes ago. I was hoping for clear skies over Manitoba but no luck there. Scrolled sown and saw this one. Too bad Manitoba’s cloudy because even through the clouds, you can tell there’s one heck of a show going on right now.

Waiting for it to get dark at Anchorage. There’ll be some aurora visible there. I’ve seen them there several times when the geomagnetic activity was much lower than tonight. Just have to hope the clouds stay away.

[radu]

Howdy, E.G.C. ((HUGZ))

Was it a nicer day yesterday for your outing with Gizmo? How’s the new leash working out?

[E.G.C.]

It was a little bit nicer yesterday, albeit a little cool. There were some people fishing out there but we did find some places to roam around. Also Gizmo found a couple of places to roll over.

[radu]

I thought you might have had a prettier day than Saturday but it looks like it was just as gloomy. Gizmo doesn’t seem to care a bit though. LOL As long as it isn’t pouring rain or isn’t snowing a blizzard, he’s a happy pooch when out at the lakes.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, E...((HUGS))...I’m seeing a happy dog out on his daily adventure, fun stuff to do AND some good rolls in the dirt.

You two have a wonderful Monday outing. And maybe it will be a bit warmer for you.

[SkyDancer]

~ Massive Power Outage In Seattle Area, Power Back On But Internet Was Down Long Time ~

~

~ Welcome To My World ~

I’m Down There Somewhere

[luvie]

Hey there, Early Birds!
How 'bout this hero we are honoring here.
So many heroes...so little time!
Hope all y'all have a Mahv'lus Monday
...and a Wonderful Week!
It's chilly and overcast here.
Gives me energy!
(((hugs)))

[Kathy in Alaska]

Oh no!!!! No internet is beyond annoying! Glad you got power and internet back.