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Photo # NH 105671:  Corporal Lewis K. Bausell, USMC

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Corporal Lewis K. Bausell, USMC, (1924-1944)

Lewis Kenneth Bausell was born on 17 April 1924 in Pulaski, Virginia. Having completed his education, he moved to Washington, D.C., from where he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in December 1941, shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor brought the United States into World War II. After basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, he was ordered to the First Marine Division at Camp Lejuene, North Carolina. In March 1942 Bausell was promoted to Private First Class and departed with the Fifth Marines for the Pacific in May. A month later, while at Wellington, New Zealand, he was promoted to Corporal. Beginning with the Guadalcanal-Tulagi invasion in August, he took part in the bitter struggle for Guadalcanal.

Withdrawn from Guadalcanal in late 1942, Corporal Bausell's unit went to Australia for several months of rest and training, then was sent to New Guinea. In December 1943 he landed with the Fifth Marines at Cape Gloucester, New Britain to participate in the fighting on that island. He took part in operations to seize the Willaumez Peninsula and an airstrip at Talasea, both also on New Britain, in the Spring of 1944.

Later that Spring, Corporal Bausell relocated to Pavuvu Island to prepare for the next campaign, which would be the invasion of Peleliu, Palau Islands. Soon after landing there on 15 September 1944, while his squad charged a hostile pillbox to flush out the Japanese defenders, the enemy hurled a grenade among the Marines. Immediately, Bausell threw himself on it, saving the lives of his men. The mortally wouned Corporal was evacuated to the attack transport DuPage, where he died on 18 September and was buried at sea. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity", he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Lewis K. Bausell is listed on the American Battle Monument Commission's Wall of the Missing at Manila Cemetery, Manila, Philippines.

USS Bausell (DD-845), 1946-1987, was named in honor of Corporal Lewis K. Bausell.

This page features the only image we have concerning Lewis K. Bausell.


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Photo #: NH 105671

Corporal Lewis K. Bausell, USMC


Halftone reproduction of a photograph, copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 155.
Lewis K. Bausell was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" when he threw himself on a grenade to save the lives of other Marines during action against the Japanese on Peleliu Island, Palau Group, 15 September 1944.
Corporal Bausell died of his wounds on 18 September, after being evacuated to the attack transport USS DuPage.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 42KB; 580 x 765 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Corporal Lewis K. Bausell, USMC (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 155):

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu Island, Palau Group, 15 September 1944. Valiantly placing himself at the head of his squad, Corporal Bausell led the charge forward against a hostile pillbox which was covering a vital sector of the beach and, as the first to reach the emplacement, immediately started firing his automatic into the aperture while the remainder of his men closed in on the enemy. Swift to act, as a Japanese grenade was hurled into their midst, Corporal Bausell threw himself on the deadly weapon, taking the full blast of the explosion and sacrificing his own life to save his men. His unwavering loyalty and inspiring courage reflect the highest credit upon Corporal Bausell and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."


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Page made 5 April 2008