Return to Naval Historical
Center home page.
Return to Online
Library Listing
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 --
Captain John H. Leims, USMCR, (1921-1985)
John Harold Leims was born on 8 June 1921 in Chicago, Illinois.
He graduated from St. George High School in 1939 and attended
Northwestern University before leaving to work in the Chicago
area. In November 1942, Leims enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve,
receiving recruit training at San Diego, California. He was assigned
to the Third Battalion, Third Marine Division, leaving the U.S.
in February 1943 for duty in the South Pacific area. Later that
year, Leims was selected for officer training, returned to
the U.S. and was commissioned at the beginning of March 1944.
In the summer, Second Lieutenant Leims was assigned as a company
officer in the First Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division
and took part in patrols against Japanese holdouts on Guam.
With that battalion, he participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima,
landing on the island on 24 February 1945 and later taking command
of Company B. On 7 March, after leading his men in the capture
of Japanese fortifications ahead of the front lines, Leims realized
his assault platoons were isolated and personally laid telephone
lines across fire-swept terrain to restore communications. When
ordered to withdraw, he skillfully led his men back to the rear.
Learning that casualties remained in the abandoned position, Lieutenant
Leims made four more trips across the deadly battlefield to rescue
two wounded Marines. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life," he was awarded the Medal
of Honor.
Promoted to First Lieutenant in June 1945, he left active service
in January 1946, but was recalled to receive the Medal of Honor,
which was presented in White House ceremonies by President Harry
S. Truman on 14 June 1946. Lieutenant Leims subsequently served
in the Marine Corps Reserve, was promoted to Captain in 1956 and
retired in the summer of 1962. John H. Leims died at Conroe, Texas
on 28 June 1985 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery,
Arlington, Virginia.
This page features the only image we have concerning John
H. Leims.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 103905
Second Lieutenant John H. Leims, USMCR
Halftone reproduction of a photograph, copied from the official
publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy",
page 217.
John H. Leims received the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life" on 7
March 1945, during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 61KB; 630 x 765 pixels |
 |
Medal of Honor citation of Second Lieutenant John Harold Leims,
USMCR (as printed in the official publication "Medal
of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 217):
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer
of Company B, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division,
in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano
Islands, 7 March 1945. Launching a surprise attack against the
rock-imbedded fortifications of a dominating Japanese hill position,
Second Lieutenant Leims spurred his company forward with indomitable
determination and, skillfully directing his assault platoons
against the cave-emplaced enemy troops and heavily fortified
pillboxes, succeeded in capturing the objective in the late afternoon.
When it became apparent that his assault platoons were cut off
in this newly won position, approximately 400 yards forward of
the adjacent units and lacked all communication with the command
post, he personally advanced and laid telephone lines across
the isolating expanse of open, fire-swept terrain. Ordered to
withdraw his command after he had joined his forward platoons,
he immediately complied, adriotly effecting the withdrawal of
his troops without incident. Upon arriving at the rear, he was
informed that several casualties had been left at the abandoned
ridge position beyond the front lines. Although suffering acutely
from the strain and exhaustion of battle, he instantly went forward
despite darkness and the slashing fury of hostile machine-gun
fire, located and carried to safety one seriously wounded Marine
and then, running the gantlet of enemy fire for the third time
that night, again made his tortuous way into the bullet- ridden
death trap and rescued another of his wounded men. A dauntless
leader, concerned at all times for the welfare of his men, Second
Lieutenant Leims soundly maintained the coordinated strength
of his battle-wearied company under extremely difficult conditions
and, by his bold tactics, sustained aggressiveness and heroic
disregard of all personal danger, contributed essentially to
the success of his division's operations against this vital Japanese
base. His valiant conduct in the face of fanatic opposition sustains
and enhances the highest traditions of the United States Naval
Service." |
Return to Naval
Historical Center home page.
Page made 16 July 2006