Lewis K. Bausell

He took the blast of a grenade to protect his fellow Marines

Lewis Kenneth Bausell was born at Pulaski, Virginia, on 17 April 1924. His family moved to Washington, District of Columbia, where he attended school and worked as a bookbinder. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on 15 December 1941, little more than a week after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Following recruit training at Parris Island he joined the 1st Marine Division at New River, North Carolina, and became a corporal in June 1942.

Bausell sailed to the Pacific with the 5th Marines and took part in the Guadalcanal landings and subsequent fighting. After the division recuperated in Australia he served in New Guinea and the Cape Gloucester campaign on New Britain. Further preparation at Pavuvu preceded the assault on Peleliu.

On 15 September 1944, serving with 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, Bausell led his squad against a Japanese pillbox covering a vital part of the beachhead. He reached the emplacement first and fired through its opening while the rest of the squad closed in. When an enemy grenade landed among the Marines, he threw himself on it, absorbing the blast and protecting the men around him.

He was evacuated to a hospital ship but died of his wounds on 18 September, three days after the action. He was twenty years old and was buried at sea. The Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously for his sacrifice. His name is inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery, and the destroyer USS Bausell later carried his name.

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 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu Island, Palau Group, 15 September 1944. Valiantly placing himself at the head of his squad, Cpl. Bausell led the charge forward against a hostile pillbox which was covering a vital sector of the beach and, as the first to reach the emplacement, immediately started firing his automatic into the aperture while the remainder of his men closed in on the enemy. Swift to act, as a Japanese grenade was hurled into their midst, Cpl. Bausell threw himself on the deadly weapon, taking the full blast of the explosion and sacrificing his own life to save his men. His unwavering loyalty and inspiring courage reflect the highest credit upon Cpl. Bausell and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.