John D. New

He shielded two mortar observers from a deadly enemy grenade

John Dury New was born on August 12, 1924, in Mobile, Alabama. He served as a private first class in the 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, during World War II.

On September 25, 1944, on Peleliu Island in the Palau Islands, two Marines were directing mortar fire from an observation post. A Japanese soldier emerged from a cave below the position and threw a grenade into it. New immediately covered the grenade with his body, protecting the two observers at the cost of his own life.

Rear Admiral C. A. Pownall presented his posthumous Medal of Honor to his father at the Naval Air Station in Florida on June 23, 1945. New was buried at Mobile National Cemetery. His award remembers a Marine's immediate response to danger and the lives he saved at an exposed observation post.

Official Medal of Honor citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu Island, Palau Group, 25 September 1944. When a Japanese soldier emerged from a cave in a cliff directly below an observation post and suddenly hurled a grenade into the position from which two of our men were directing mortar fire against enemy emplacements, Pfc. New instantly perceived the dire peril to the other marines and, with utter disregard for his own safety, unhesitatingly flung himself upon the grenade and absorbed the full impact of the explosion, thus saving the lives of the two observers. Pfc. New's great personal valor and selfless conduct in the face of almost certain death reflect the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.