FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: William D Halyburton Jr ~ 25 August 2025

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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! 

[larryjohnson]

Good evening

[SkyDancer]

~ Evening All! ~

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~ Welcome To My World ~

I’m Down There Somewhere

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening,Larry...still visiting family in California? Hope you are having fun.

[Huskrrrr]

Great as always, Kathy. Thanks!🤗

[PROCON]

Thanks for honoring tonight's Hero, truly an incredible man!

It's very, very hot here, that about sums it up.😁

I hope all is well your way, Kathy!

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ Hall of Heroes: William D Halyburton Jr ~

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[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

To all our military men and women, past and present,

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Janey...((HUGS))...hope your weekend has gone well and the weather improved for jumping.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

[wjcsux]

Hi Kathy,
Thanks for sharing about all of our heroes!

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

I was hoping you’d manage to get some sun time on the deck this afternoon BUT you need some sunshine first. LOL A bit on the gloomy side today.
We finally got a nice sunny afternoon and the cooler temps they promised with the cold front that came through. A nice week ahead.
I hear you have a couple of days this week with some heavy rain in store. You could really use it up there.

[luvie]

William David Halyburton, Jr.,
October 2, 1924 - May 10, 1945
United States Navy sailor
....and Medal of Honor, Recipient
for his actions in World War II.
What a brave hero he was!

[Kathy in Alaska]

larryjohnson!!

1st!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Janey!!

2nd!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Huskrrr...hope you enjoyed today’s hero.

Have a great week.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Pro...a true hero who we must remember.

Have a great week, but stay cool.

[radu]

Howdy, luvie.

Hope your day was a good one.

Our cold front made it through today and it felt quite nice outside. Lower humidity is making a world of difference. Looking forward to the week ahead.

[SkyDancer]

Good Evening Kathy! ((HUGS)) Weather was great although hot, like in the upper 80’s lower 90’s and will be like that a few more days. Jumping was great, lots of folks wanting up and had a couple of other pilots relieving us.

[luvie]

Hey there, radu!

It was a pretty good one, but I sure am sleepy right now. LOL! It was about 91 here. About the best we can expect, I fear. Right now it’s “only” 84. Not bad, really.

I’m glad your cold front came in and that it feels so good. If you’re able to get Champ all fixed up, this is a good time to do some mowing. If not, well you can just enjoy lovely cooler temps.