Anthony Michael Stein

He charged pillboxes and carried wounded men back to safety.

Anthony Michael “Tony” Stein was a United States Marine corporal who received the Medal of Honor for fighting and rescuing wounded men during the opening assault on Iwo Jima. Born in Dayton, Ohio, on 30 September 1921, he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on 22 September 1942.

A civilian toolmaker before enlistment, Stein served with the Paramarines in the Solomon Islands before transferring to the 28th Marines when the parachute units were disbanded.

On 19 February 1945, Stein landed with Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division. Armed with an improvised aircraft-type machine gun, he attacked Japanese pillboxes and supported his platoon’s advance. As ammunition ran out, he made eight trips to the beach under fire, carrying or helping a wounded man on every return. He later covered his platoon’s withdrawal even after his weapon was twice shot from his hands.

After being wounded in the fighting for Mount Suribachi, Stein was evacuated to a hospital ship. He returned to his unit and was killed on Iwo Jima on 1 March 1945. His widow received the Medal of Honor at the Ohio State House on 19 February 1946. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Dayton.

Full 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 Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, in the Volcano Islands, 19 February 1945. The first man of his unit to be on station after hitting the beach in the initial assault, Cpl. Stein, armed with a personally improvised aircraft-type weapon, provided rapid covering fire as the remainder of his platoon attempted to move into position. When his comrades were stalled by a concentrated machine-gun and mortar barrage, he gallantly stood upright and exposed himself to the enemy’s view, thereby drawing the hostile fire to his own person and enabling him to observe the location of the furiously blazing hostile guns. Determined to neutralize the strategically placed weapons, he boldly charged the enemy pillboxes one by one and succeeded in killing 20 of the enemy during the furious singlehanded assault. Cool and courageous under the merciless hail of exploding shells and bullets which fell on all sides, he continued to deliver the fire of his skillfully improvised weapon at a tremendous rate of speed which rapidly exhausted his ammunition. Undaunted, he removed his helmet and shoes to expedite his movements and ran back to the beach for additional ammunition, making a total of eight trips under intense fire and carrying or assisting a wounded man back each time. Despite the unrelenting savagery and confusion of battle, he rendered prompt assistance to his platoon whenever the unit was in position, directing the fire of a half-track against a stubborn pillbox until he had effected the ultimate destruction of the Japanese fortification. Later in the day, although his weapon was twice shot from his hands, he personally covered the withdrawal of his platoon to the company position. Stouthearted and indomitable, Cpl. Stein, by his aggressive initiative, sound judgment, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of terrific odds, contributed materially to the fulfillment of his mission, and his outstanding valor throughout the bitter hours of conflict sustains and enhances the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.”