USS John Willis (DE-1027) was a Dealey class destroyer escort in the United States Navy. She was named for John Harlan Willis, a navy hospital corpsman. In December 1944 he departed with the invasion force bound for Iwo Jima as Platoon Corpsman for the 3d Battalion, 27th Regiment, 5th Marine Division. While administering first aid to wounded Marines, engaged in "furious close-in fighting" at Hill 362 on 28 February 1945, Willis was struck by shrapnel and ordered to retire to a battle aid station. Returning shortly to his company, he advanced to the "extreme front lines under mortar and sniper fire" during a "savage hand-to-hand enemy counterattack." While administering blood plasma to a wounded Marine, Willis hurled back at the enemy eight grenades which landed near his patient. The ninth one exploded in his hand and killed him instantly. "By his great personal valor in saving others at the sacrifice of his own life, he inspired his companions, although terrifically outnumbered, to launch a fiercely determined attack and repulse the enemy force." "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty," Pharmacist's Mate First Class John Harlan Willis was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.
