WILSON, LOUIS HUGH, JR. - Medal of Honor Recipient
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, Commanding Rifle
Company, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division.
Place and Date:
Fonte Hill, Guam, 25-26 July 1944. Entered service at: Mississippi. Birth:
11 February 1920, Brandon, Miss. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as
commanding officer of a rifle company attached to the 2d Battalion, 9th
Marines, 3d Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at
Fonte Hill, Guam, 25-26 July 1944. Ordered to take that portion of the
hill within his zone of action, Capt. Wilson initiated his attack in mid-afternoon,
pushed up the rugged, open terrain against terrific machinegun and rifle
fire for 300 yards and successfully captured the objective. Promptly assuming
command of other disorganized units and motorized equipment in addition
to his own company and 1 reinforcing platoon, he organized his night defenses
in the face of continuous hostile fire and, although wounded 3 times during
this 5-hour period, completed his disposition of men and guns before retiring
to the company command post for medical attention. Shortly thereafter,
when the enemy launched the first of a series of savage counterattacks
lasting all night, he voluntarily rejoined his besieged units and repeatedly
exposed himself to the merciless hail of shrapnel and bullets, dashing
50 yards into the open on 1 occasion to rescue a wounded marine Iying helpless
beyond the frontlines. Fighting fiercely in hand-to-hand encounters, he
led his men in furiously waged battle for approximately 10 hours, tenaciously
holding his line and repelling the fanatically renewed counterthrusts until
he succeeded in crushing the last efforts of the hard-pressed Japanese
early the following morning. Then organizing a 17-man patrol, he immediately
advanced upon a strategic slope essential to the security of his position
and, boldly defying intense mortar, machinegun, and rifle fire which struck
down 13 of his men, drove relentlessly forward with the remnants of his
patrol to seize the vital ground. By his indomitable leadership, daring
combat tactics, and valor in the face of overwhelming odds, Capt. Wilson
succeeded in capturing and holding the strategic high ground in his regimental
sector, thereby contributing essentially to the success of his regimental
mission and to the annihilation of 350 Japanese troops. His inspiring conduct
throughout the critical periods of this decisive action sustains and enhances
the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
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