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| Private Joseph William Ozbourn |
OZBOURN, JOSEPH WILLIAM
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 24 October 1919, Herrin, Ill. Accredited
to: Illinois. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty
as a Browning Automatic Rifleman serving with the 1st Battalion, 23d Marines, 4th Marine Division, during the battle for enemy
Japanese-held Tinian Island, Marianas Islands, 30 July 1944. As a member of a platoon assigned the mission of clearing the
remaining Japanese troops from dugouts and pillboxes along a tree line, Pvt. Ozbourn, flanked by 2 men on either side, was
moving forward to throw an armed handgrenade into a dugout when a terrific blast from the entrance severely wounded the 4
men and himself. Unable to throw the grenade into the dugout and with no place to hurl it without endangering the other men,
Pvt. Ozbourn unhesitatingly grasped it close to his body and fell upon it, sacrificing his own life to absorb the full impact
of the explosion, but saving his comrades. His great personal valor and unwavering loyalty reflect the highest credit upon
Pvt. Ozbourn and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
WILSON, ROBERT LEE
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 24 May
1921, Centralia, Ill. Accredited to: Illinois. Citation For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 2d Battalion, 6th Marines, 2d Marine Division, during action against
enemy Japanese forces at Tinian Island, Marianas Group, on 4 August 1944. As 1 of a group of marines advancing through heavy
underbrush to neutralize isolated points of resistance, Pfc. Wilson daringly preceded his companions toward a pile of rocks
where Japanese troops were supposed to be hiding. Fully aware of the danger involved, he was moving forward while the remainder
of the squad, armed with automatic rifles, closed together in the rear when an enemy grenade landed in the midst of the group.
Quick to act, Pfc. Wilson cried a warning to the men and unhesitatingly threw himself on the grenade, heroically sacrificing
his own life that the others might live and fulfill their mission. His exceptional valor, his courageous loyalty and unwavering
devotion to duty in the face of grave peril reflect the highest credit upon Pfc. Wilson and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly
gave his life for his country.
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