William Gary Walsh

On Iwo Jima, one enemy grenade landed among a group of Marines sheltering in a small trench. Gunnery Sergeant William Gary Walsh had only seconds to act. Without hesitation, he threw himself upon the grenade, sacrificing his own life to save his fellow Marines. That extraordinary act of courage made him one of the most remarkable heroes of the Battle of Iwo Jima and earned him the United States Medal of Honor.

Born on 7 April 1922 in Roxbury, Massachusetts, William Gary Walsh attended public schools in Boston before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1942. Following recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina, and advanced training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, he was assigned to a Marine scout unit in Samoa. He subsequently joined the legendary 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, known as Carlson's Raiders. During the Pacific War, Walsh saw extensive combat at Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Tarawa and in the Russell Islands. After approximately two years of service in the Pacific, he returned to the United States before deploying again with the 5th Marine Division in 1944. By the time of the Iwo Jima campaign, he had attained the rank of Gunnery Sergeant.

On 27 February 1945, Walsh was leading an assault platoon attached to Company G, 3rd Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, during an advance toward the strategically important Hill 362 on Iwo Jima. When intense Japanese machine-gun fire halted the company's advance, Walsh fearlessly led his Marines up the steep, rocky ridge. Forced back by determined resistance, he rallied his surviving men and led another assault, eventually reaching the summit despite devastating enemy fire and grenade attacks. As the Japanese launched a final barrage of hand grenades, one landed among his Marines sheltering in a trench. Walsh immediately threw himself upon the explosive, absorbing its full force and protecting his comrades from injury or possible death. His extraordinary initiative and self-sacrifice enabled his company to seize and hold the vital position.

For this act of extraordinary gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty, Gunnery Sergeant William Gary Walsh was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military decoration. His official citation specifically recognized his inspiring leadership, extraordinary initiative and complete self-sacrifice in saving the lives of fellow Marines. He was also awarded the Purple Heart for his fatal combat wounds. Walsh was killed in action on 27 February 1945, aged just 22. Initially buried in the 5th Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima, his remains were subsequently reinterred at Arlington National Cemetery on 20 April 1948.

The story of Gunnery Sergeant William Gary Walsh remains a powerful testament to the courage, leadership and selflessness of the United States Marine Corps. His final act on Iwo Jima exemplifies the highest traditions of military service and the extraordinary lengths to which one Marine went to protect his comrades.