"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,
Fifth Pioneer Battalion, Fifth Marine Division, in action against enemy
Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 26 March 1945. With his sector of the Fifth Pioneer Battalion bivouac
area penetrated by a concentrated enemy attack launched a few minutes
before dawn, First Lieutenant 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 two severe wounds, he blasted
the Japanese who attempted to intercept him, located his beleaguered men
and directed them to their own lines. When four of the infiltrating
enemy took possession of an abandoned machine-gun pit and subjected his sector to a barrage of hand grenades,
First Lieutenant Martin alone and armed only with a pistol, boldly
charged the hostile position and killed all its occupants. Realizing
that his 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, First Lieutenant Martin permanently disrupted a coordinated
Japanese attack and prevented a greater loss of life in his own and
adjacent platoons and his inspiring leadership and unswerving devotion
to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in service of his country."
From 1st Lt. Martin's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on May 6, 1946.
May you be at peace,
Brian & Mel
USS 1st Lt. Harry L. Martin
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