World War II Honoree

Jonathan M. Wainwright

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Walla Walla, Washington

Honored By

Ralph Bozorth

GENERAL, COMMANDED ARMY FORCES IN THE PHILIPPINES. ENTERED SERVICE AT SKANEATELES, NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 19, 1945. AWARDED CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR. CITATION: DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF BY INTREPID AND DETERMINED LEADERSHIP AGAINST GREATLY SUPERIOR ENEMY FORCES. AT THE REPEATED RISK OF LIFE ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY IN HIS POSITION, HE FREQUENTED THE FIRING LINE OF HIS TROOPS WHERE HIS PRESENCE PROVIDED THE EXAMPLE AND INCENTIVE THAT HELPED MAKE THE GALLANT EFFORTS OF THESE MEN POSSIBLE. THE FINAL STAND ON BELEAGUERED CORREGIDOR, FOR WHICH HE WAS IN AN IMPORTANT MEASURE PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE, COMMANDED THE ADMIRATION OF THE NATION'S ALLIES. IT REFLECTED THE HIGH MORALE OF AMERICAN ARMS IN THE FACE OF OVERWHELMING ODDS. HIS COURAGE AND RESOLUTION WERE A VITALLY NEEDED INSPIRATION TO THE THEN SORELY PRESSED FREEDOM LOVING PEOPLES OF THE WORLD. PHILIPPINE ISLANDS MARCH 12, 1942 TO MAY 7, 1942.