John H. Willis Earns Medal Of Honor (Posthumous)

WED 28 FEB 1945
Pacific
TG 78.2 (Rear Admiral William M. Fechteler) lands Army troops (186th Regimental Combat Team, Reinforced, of the 41st Division) on Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island P.I.; TG 74.2 (Rear Admiral Ralph S. Riggs), consisting of three light cruisers and four destroyers, provides support. The operation is unopposed.

Off Iwo Jima, destroyer Bennett (DD-473) is damaged by aircraft bomb, 24°46'N, 141°19'E; destroyer Terry (DD-513) by shore battery, 24°48'N, 141°33'E and medium landing ship LSM-42, by mortar fire; collisions account for damage to submarine chaser PCS-1461 (with small craft), 24°46'N, 141°19'E, and tank landing ships LST-641 and LST-787, 24°46'N, 141°19'E.

On Iwo Jima, as the 3d Battalion, 27th Marines, battles a Japanese counterattack, Pharmacist's Mate First Class John H. Willis is wounded while administering first aid to casualties. Although evacuated to an aid station, he sneaks away, returning to the front lines and resuming his duties with his assigned platoon. Going to the aid of a wounded man in a shell hole, Willis is treating the casualty when enemy troops lob hand grenades into the position. Willis throws out eight in succession, but a ninth explodes in his hand killing him. His courageous actions, witnessed by his platoon, prompt them to repulse the Japanese thrust. For his conspicuous gallantry, Willis is awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously.

Elsewhere on Iwo, Pharmacist's Mate Second Class George E. Wahlen, USNR, voluntarily rushes to the aid of an adjacent platoon that has suffered heavy casualties, treating 14 men before returning to his own unit. He braves heavy mortar and rifle fire to do so, actions that, together with that performed on 26 February, establish him as a hero in the eyes of the Marines he serves (see 2 March).

USAAF B-24s attack Japanese convoy in Okinawa area, sinking motor sailship No.7 Kokoku Maru.

Atlantic
Destroyer escort Fowler (DE-222) and French L'Indiscret sink German submarine U-869 off Morocco, 34°30'N, 08°13'W.