William Robert Caddy

Shielding two Marines from a grenade on Iwo Jima

William R. Caddy served as a Marine Corps Reserve private first class in Company I, 3d Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division. On 3 March 1945, on Iwo Jima, he advanced under fire with his platoon leader and another Marine. The three took cover in a shell hole but were pinned down by a sniper. During an exchange of grenades, an enemy grenade landed inside the hole beyond reach. Caddy immediately covered it with his body. He died protecting his companions from serious injury. His posthumous Medal of Honor recognized his sacrifice for fellow Marines.

Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a rifleman with Company I, 3d Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 3 March 1945. Consistently aggressive, Pfc. Caddy boldly defied shattering Japanese machine-gun and small-arms fire to move forward with his platoon leader and another marine during the determined advance of his company through an isolated sector and, gaining the comparative safety of a shell hole, took temporary cover with his comrades. Immediately pinned down by deadly sniper fire from a well-concealed position, he made several unsuccessful attempts to again move forward and then, joined by his platoon leader, engaged the enemy in a fierce exchange of hand grenades until a Japanese grenade fell beyond reach in the shell hole. Fearlessly disregarding all personal danger, Pfc. Caddy instantly dived on the deadly missile, absorbing the exploding charge in his own body and protecting the others from serious injury. Stouthearted and indomitable, he unhesitatingly yielded his own life that his fellow marines might carry on the relentless battle against a fanatic enemy. His dauntless courage and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon Pfc. Caddy and upon the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his comrades.