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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --
Private First Class William R. Caddy, USMCR, (1925-1945)
William Robert Caddy was born on 8 August 1925 in Quincy, Massachusetts.
On 27 October 1943, he was drafted into the Marine Corps Reserve
from that state and was called to duty on 10 November 1943. After
training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Caddy became a Rifleman
in Company I, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division.
With that unit he participated in the battle for Iwo Jima. On
3 March 1945, after boldly moving forward against Japanese forces
during the bitter fighting there, Caddy deliberately dived on
a grenade that had fallen nearby. His action saved other members
of his platoon from serious injury, but at the cost of his own
life. For his "self-sacrifice in the face of certain death,"
Private First Class Caddy was posthumously awarded the Medal
of Honor.
William R. Caddy is buried at the National Memorial Cemetery
of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii. The Marine Corps League Detachment
in Quincy, Massachusetts was named in his honor in 1946 and, in
October 1963, Treasure Island Park in Quincy was renamed "P.F.C.
William R. Caddy Memorial Park."
This page features the only image we have concerning William
R. Caddy.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 103788
Private First Class William R. Caddy, USMCR
Halftone reproduction of a photograph, copied from the official
publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy",
page 165.
William R. Caddy received the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for
"conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" on 3 March
1945, during the Battle of Iwo Jima, when he sacrificed his own
life by diving on a grenade to protect other men of his platoon.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 40KB; 590 x 765 pixels |
 |
Medal of Honor citation of Private First Class William Robert
Caddy, USMCR (as printed in the official publication "Medal
of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 165):
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as
a Rifleman with Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-sixth Marines,
FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces
during the seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 3 March
1945. Consistently aggressive, Private First Class Caddy boldly
defied shattering Japanese machine-gun and small-arms fire to
move forward with his platoon leader and another Marine during
the determined advance of his company through an isolated sector
and, gaining the comparative safety of a shell hole, took temporary
cover with his comrades. Immediately pinned down by deadly sniper
fire from a well-concealed position, he made several unsuccessful
attempts to again move forward and then, joined by his platoon
leader, engaged the enemy in a fierce exchange of hand grenades
until a Japanese grenade fell beyond reach in a shell hole. Fearlessly
disregarding all personal danger, Private First Class Caddy instantly
dived on the deadly misile, absorbing the exploding charge in
his own body and protecting the others from serious injury. Stout-hearted
and indomitable, he unhesitatingly yielded his own life that
his fellow Marines might carry on the relentless battle against
a fanatic enemy. His dauntless courage and valiant spirit of
self-sacrifice in the face of certain death reflect the highest
credit upon Private First Class Caddy and upon the United States
Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his comrades." |
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Page made 22 May 2006