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Photo # NH 103788:  Private First Class William R. Caddy, USMCR

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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.


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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