Stone Gardens: Medal of Honor winner from Harrison was returned to States and buried at Springfield National Cemtery
- Dennis McCaslin
- 8 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Jack Williams grew up in Harrison, Boone County in the Ozark hills. He was born on October 18, 1924, to William O. Williams, a blacksmith and machinist, and Daughty Edith Gooch Williams. The family lived at 420 North Second Street in town.
Jack had a younger sister named Fern. He attended Harrison High School, where he was active in the Future Farmers of America.
He also worked at the Lyric Theater and spent time fishing and swimming with friends on Crooked Creek.
In the summer of 1943, right after graduating, he enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve at age 18 while World War II was still going strong. He trained as a pharmacist's mat--a Navy corpsman who worked with Marine units--and earned promotion to Pharmacist's Mate Third Class by May 1944.
He joined the 3rd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division, and headed to the Pacific.
He landed on Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945, the first day of the battle. On March 3, during the fight for Hill 362B, he had already helped 14 wounded Marines by crawling through enemy fire to treat them and get them to safety
.Around noon, while bandaging a Marine during a grenade fight, a Japanese sniper shot him three times--once in the stomach and twice in the groin. Even with blood pouring out, he finished the job on that man, then turned to help another wounded Marine close by.
Knowing they needed more help fast, he tried to head back for assistance, but a final sniper bullet hit him in the chest. He died from his wounds at age 20.For those actions, Pharmacist's Mate Third Class Jack Williams received the Medal of Honor after his death.
The citation says:
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 3d Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division, during the occupation of Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 3 March 1945.
Gallantly going forward on the frontlines under intense enemy small-arms fire to assist a marine wounded in a fierce grenade battle, Williams dragged the man to a shallow depression and was kneeling, using his own body as a screen from the sustained fire as he administered first aid, when struck in the abdomen and groin 3 times by hostile rifle fire.
Momentarily stunned, he quickly recovered and completed his ministration before applying battle dressings to his own multiple wounds. Unmindful of his own urgent need for medical attention, Petty Officer Williams remained in the perilous fire-swept area to care for another Marine casualty.
Heroically completing this task despite pain and profuse bleeding, he then endeavored to make his way to the rear in search of adequate aid for himself when struck down by a sniper bullet which caused his collapse.
Succumbing later as a result of his self-sacrificing service to others, Williams, by his courageous determination, unwavering fortitude and valiant performance of duty, served as an inspiring example of heroism, in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
He gallantly gave his life for his country."
He is buried at Springfield National Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri.
