First Lieutenant Harry L. Martin, Bucyrus Ohio
Posted by: 
Team RAGAR
N 40° 47.900 W 082° 59.030
17T E 332644 N 4518263
Oakwood Cemetery
Waymark Code: WM503K
Location: Ohio, United States
Date Posted: 10/20/2008
Views: 28
1 Lt. Harry L. Martin
Company C
5th Pioneer BN
5th Marine Divison
Killed in Action
26 March 1945
Congressional Medal of Honor
Purple Heart with Gold Star
Presidential Unit Citation
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
Victory Medal World War II
SEMPHER FIDELIS
His Citation reads:
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Born: 4 January 1911, Bucyrus, Ohio.
Appointed from. Ohio.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as platoon leader attached to Company C, 5th Pioneer Battalion, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 26 March 1945. With his sector of the 5th Pioneer Battalion bivouac area penetrated by a concentrated enemy attack launched a few minutes before dawn, 1st Lt. Martin instantly organized a firing line with the marines nearest his foxhole and succeeded in checking momentarily the headlong rush of the Japanese. Determined to rescue several of his men trapped in positions overrun by the enemy, he defied intense hostile fire to work his way through the Japanese to the surrounded marines. Although sustaining 2 severe wounds, he blasted the Japanese who attempted to intercept him, located his beleaguered men and directed them to their own lines. When 4 of the infiltrating enemy took possession of an abandoned machinegun pit and subjected his sector to a barrage of hand grenades, 1st Lt. Martin, alone and armed only with a pistol, boldly charged the hostile position and killed all of its occupants. Realizing that his few remaining comrades could not repulse another organized attack, he called to his men to follow and then charged into the midst of the strong enemy force, firing his weapon and scattering them until he fell, mortally wounded by a grenade. By his outstanding valor, indomitable fighting spirit and tenacious determination in the face of overwhelming odds, 1st Lt. Martin permanently disrupted a coordinated Japanese attack and prevented a greater loss of life in his own and adjacent platoons. His inspiring leadership and unswerving devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country
Armed Service: Marines
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