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Woodhouse, Horatio C., Jr.

Date of birth:
August 27th, 1913
Date of death:
May 30th, 1945 (Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan)
Buried on:
National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Plot: D. Row: 0. Grave: 478.
Service number:
13127
Nationality:
American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

A Japanese sniper killed Lieutenant Colonel Horatio C. Woodhouse, Jr., the competent commander of 2/22, as he led his battalion towards the Kokuba Estuary on Okinawa Island.

Promotions:
1937: 2nd Lieutenant;
?: Lieutenant Colonel.

Career:
1937: Marine Corps School;
1938: Company A, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Brigade, Shanghai, China.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant Colonel
Unit:
2nd Battalion, 22nd Marine Regiment, 6th Marine Division "The Striking Sixth", U.S. Marine Corps
Awarded for:
Operation Iceberg
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the Second Infantry Battalion, Twenty-second Marines, SIXTH Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands on 14 and 30 May 1945. With his battalion assigned the perilous task of launching the main assault on enemy held Sugar Loaf Hill, Lieutenant Colonel Woodhouse boldly led his men through savage Japanese fire against the strongly defended hostile positions on the hill and, engaging the enemy in furious and intense fighting succeeded in gaining the bitterly contested terrain. Later on 30 May when his battalion was reduced in strength by many Marine casualties, Lieutenant Colonel Woodhouse led his gallant men in a daring assault against heavily-fortified Radio Hill, pressing forward in the face of withering fire and capturing his objective before he himself fell, mortally wounded. By his fearless leadership, courage and unwavering devotion to duty during combat with a ferocious and desperate enemy, he contributed to the success of our forces on Okinawa. His heroic conduct throughout was constant source of inspiration to those with whom he served and reflects the highest credit upon Lieutenant Colonel Woodhouse and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."
Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Sources