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QPME: Battle of Okinawa

This QPME guide provides information and learning resources about the United States Marine Corps role in the Battle of Okinawa, the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War during World War II.

Battle of Okinawa Medal of Honor Recipients

And once by God, I was a Marine!


—Actor Lee Marvin, circa 1967, about serving in WW II 

Medal of Honor: Richard Earl Bush

"Although prostrate under medical treatment when a Japanese hand grenade landed in the midst of the group, Cpl. Bush, alert and courageous in extremity as in battle, unhesitatingly pulled the deadly missile to himself and absorbed the shattering violence of the exploding charge in his body, thereby saving his fellow marines from severe injury or death despite the certain peril to his own life." Full citation.

CPL Richard Earl Bush
Image courtesy of Marine Corps University

  

Medal of Honor: Henry A. Courtney, Jr.

"Leading his men by example rather than by command, he pushed ahead with unrelenting aggressiveness, hurling grenades into cave openings on the slope with devastating effect." Full Citation

MAJ Henry A. Courtney, Jr.
Image courtesy of Marine Corps University

  

Medal of Honor: Albert E. Schwab

"Quick to take action when his company was pinned down in a valley and suffered resultant heavy casualties under blanketing machinegun fire emanating from a high ridge to the front, Pfc. Schwab, unable to flank the enemy emplacement because of steep cliffs on either side, advanced up the face of the ridge in bold defiance of the intense barrage and, skillfully directing the fire of his flamethrower, quickly demolished the hostile gun position, thereby enabling his company to occupy the ridge." Full Citation

PFC Albert E. Schwab
Image courtesy of Marine Corps University

  

Medal of Honor: Robert Miller McTureous, Jr.

"Alert and ready for any hostile counteraction following his company's seizure of an important hill objective, Pvt. McTureous was quick to observe the plight of company stretcher bearers who were suddenly assailed by slashing machinegun fire as they attempted to evacuate wounded at the rear of the newly won position." Full Citation

PVT Robert M. McTureous, Jr.
Image courtesy of Marine Corps University

  
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