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Photo # NH 103903:  Corporal Tony Stein, USMCR

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Corporal Tony Stein, USMCR, (1921-1945)

Tony Stein was born on 30 September 1921 in Dayton, Ohio. He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve from that state in September 1942. As a member of Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-eighth Marines, Fifth Marine Division, he landed on Iwo Jima on 19 February 1945. Immediately after coming ashore, when his platoon was halted by Japanese fire, Stein single-handedly charged a series of enemy pillboxes, deliberately exposed himself to draw fire and several times helped wounded comrades to safety as he returned to the beach for more ammunition to continue his assaults. As the battle raged on, he helped destroy a stubborn pillbox and later in the day covered the withdrawal of his platoon.

On 1 March 1945, following days of intense combat on Iwo Jima, Corporal Stein was killed in action while attempting to locate enemy machine gun emplacements that were holding up his company's advance. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life" during the 19 February actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Tony Stein is buried at Calvary Cemetery, Dayton, Ohio.

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Photo #: NH 103903

Corporal Tony Stein, USMCR


Halftone reproduction of a photograph, copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 264.
Tony Stein received the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life" on 19 February 1945, during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 46KB; 590 x 765 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Corporal Tony Stein, USMCR (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 264):

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, in the Volcano Islands, 19 February 1945. The first man of his unit to be on station after hitting the beach in the initial assault, Corporal Stein, armed with a personally improvised aircraft-type weapon, provided rapid covering fire as the remainder of his platoon attempted to move into position. When his comrades were stalled by a concentrated machine-gun and mortar barrage, he gallantly stood up-right and exposed himself to the enemy's view, thereby drawing the hostile fire to his own person and enabling him to observe the location of the furiously blazing hostile guns. Determined to neutralize the strategically placed weapons, he boldly charged the enemy pillboxes one by one and succeeded in killing 20 of the enemy during the furious single-handed assault. Cool and courageous under the merciless hail of exploding shells and bullets which fell on all sides, he continued to deliver the fire of his skillfully improvised weapon at a tremendous rate of speed which rapidly exhausted his ammunition. Undaunted, he removed his helmet and shoes to expedite his movements and ran back to the beach for additional ammunition, making a total of eight trips under intense fire and carrying or assisting a wounded man back each time. Despite the unrelenting savagery and confusion of battle, he rendered prompt assistance to his platoon whenever the unit was in position, directing the fire of a half-track against a stubborn pillbox until he had effected the ultimate destruction of the Japanese fortification. Later in the day, although his weapon was twice shot from his hands, he personally covered the withdrawal of his platoon to the company position. Stout-hearted and indomitable, Corporal Stein, by his aggressive initiative, sound judgement, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds, contributed materially to the fulfillment of his mission, and his outstanding valor throughout the bitter hours of conflict sustains and enhances the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."


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Page made 13 July 2006