World War II Honoree

Walter J. Battersby

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Kenosha, Wisconsin

Honored By

Mr. Phillip Battersby

RECEIVED THE SILVER STAR MEDAL FOR CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY AND INTREPIDITY IN ACTION AGAINST THE ENEMY WHILE SERVING WITH A MARINE INFANTRY BATTALION ON IWO JIMA, VOLCANO ISLANDS, ON MARCH 13, 1945. AS A FLAME THROWER OPERATOR, HE WAS ASSIGNED THE MISSION OF DESTROYING AN ENEMY PILLBOX WELL DEFENDED BY MACHINE GUN AND RIFLE FIRE. WITH COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR HIS OWN PERSONAL SAFETY, HE CRAWLED OVER FIRE SWEPT TERRAIN TO POSITION FROM WHICH HE QUICKLY SILENCED THE ENEMY GUNS IN THE PILLBOX WITH HIS FLAME THROWER. UPON RETURNING THROUGH ENEMY FIRE WITH HIS EMPTY WEAPON, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE COMPANY ON THE RIGHT WAS WITHOUT FLAME THROWER OPERATORS AND URGENTLY IN NEED OF FLAME THROWER SUPPORT. HE IMMEDIATELY PROCEEDED TO THE ADJACENT COMPANY AND VOLUNTARILY AIDED IN THE REDUCTION OF ANOTHER ENEMY POSITION. HIS OUTSTANDING COURAGE AND DEVOTION TO DUTY WERE IN KEEPING WITH THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE.