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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 James D. La Belle, USMCR, (1925-1945)
James Dennis La Belle was born on 22 November 1925 in Columbia
Heights, Minnesota. An accomplished athlete in high school, he
enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in November 1943 and completed
recruit training at Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California.
He attended the Combat Training Course at Camp Pendleton, California
and joined the regimental Weapons Company, Twenty-seventh Marines,
Fifth Marine Division. With this unit, Private First Class La
Belle participated in the battle for Iwo Jima. On 8 March 1945,
while standing watch during the night, an enemy grenade landed
beyond reach in La Belle's foxhole. Recognizing the peril of this
situation, he dived on the grenade, sacrificing his own life to
protect his fellow Marines. For his "conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of his life", he was posthumously
awarded the Medal of Honor.
James D. La Belle is buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetary,
St. Paul, Minnesota.
This page features the only image we have concerning James
D. La Belle.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 103860
Private First Class James D. La Belle, USMCR
Halftone reproduction of a photograph, copied from the official
publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy",
page 216.
James D. La Belle received the Medal of Honor, posthumously,
for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of
his own life" on 8 March 1945, during the Battle of Iwo
Jima.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 50KB; 590 x 765 pixels |
 |
Medal of Honor citation of Private First Class James Dennis
La Belle, USMCR (as printed in the official publication "Medal
of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 216):
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty while attached
to the Twenty-seventh Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action
against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima
in the Volcano Islands, 8 March 1945. Filling a gap in the front
lines during a critical phase of the battle, Private First Class
La-Belle had dug into a foxhole with two other Marines and, grimly
aware of the enemy's presistent attempts to blast a way through
our lines with hand grenades, applied himself with steady concentration
to maintaining a sharply vigilant watch during the hazardous
night hours. Suddenly a hostile grenade landed beyond reach in
his foxhole. Quickly estimating the situation, he determined
to save the others if possible, shouted a warning, and instantly
dived on the deadly missile, absorbing the exploding charge in
his own body and thereby protecting his comrades from serious
injury. Stout-hearted and indomitable, he had unhesitatingly
relinquished his own chance of survival that his fellow Marines
might carry on the relentless fight against a fanatic enemy.
His dauntless courage, cool decision and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice
in the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon
Private First Class LaBelle and upon the United States Naval
Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country." |
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Page made 16 June 2006