Reunion Information
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Unit Details

Strength
USMC Regiment
Type
Infantry
 
Year
1944 - 1970
 

Description
Not Specified
 
Notable Persons
MOH WWII 1945 - PFC William Robert Caddy
CADDY, WILLIAM ROBERT Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Born: 8 August 1925, Quincy, Mass. Accredited to: Massachusetts. Citation: 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, 3d Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 3 March 1945. Consistently aggressive, Pfc. Caddy boldly defied shattering Japanese machinegun 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 the shell hole. Fearlessly disregarding all personal danger, Pfc. Caddy instantly dived on the deadly missile, absorbing the exploding charge in his own body and protecting the others from serious injury. Stouthearted 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 Pfc. Caddy and upon the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his comrades.
Date: 3 Mar 1945
Unit: Company I, 3d Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division
MOH WWII 1945 - Cpl Charles Joseph Berry
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Corporal Charles Joseph Berry, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as member of a machinegun crew, serving with the First Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, on 3 March 1945. Stationed in the front lines, Corporal Berry manned his weapon with alert readiness as he maintained a constant vigil with other members of his guncrew during the hazardous night hours. When infiltrating Japanese soldiers launched a surprise attack shortly after midnight in an attempt to overrun his position, he engaged in a pitched hand grenade duel, returning the dangerous weapons with prompt and deadly accuracy until an enemy grenade landed in the foxhole. Determined to save his comrades, he unhesitatingly chose to sacrifice himself and immediately dived on the deadly missile, absorbing the shattering violence of the exploding charge in his own body and protecting the others from serious injury. Stouthearted and indomitable, Corporal Berry fearlessly yielded his own life that his fellow Marines might carry on the relentless battle against a ruthless enemy and his superb valor and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon himself and upon the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Action Date: 3-Mar-45
Unit: 1st Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division
Navy Cross WWII 1945 - TSgt Walter Henry Allen
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Sergeant Walter H. Allen (MCSN: 284778), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Squad Leader of Company H, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 22 February 1945. While leading his squad through heavy small-arms and artillery fire in an assault on a strongly defended enemy position, Sergeant Allen and his men became isolated in front of his platoon which received heavy casualties, including the Platoon Leader. With his squad vulnerable on the flanks and in the rear, he repeatedly exposed himself to the heavy fire while deploying his squad to cover the platoon front and, after contacting units on his left and right, renewed the attack on his own initiative, knocking out at least two pillboxes and many other hostile installations. He then sent word of the situation to his Company Commander and, despite additional casualties among his men, captured the enemy position and continued to advance along the platoon front until ordered to stop. His aggressive leadership, determined fighting spirit and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Action Date: 22-Feb-45
Unit: Company H, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division
 
Reports To
Infantry Units
 
Active Reporting Unit
None
 
Inactive Reporting Unit
 
Unit Web Links
15 Members Who Served in This Unit


 
  • Anderson, Daniel, Sgt, (1965-1969)
  • Balzano, William C, Sgt, (1966-1968)
  • Campbell, Donald, 1stLt, (1963-1969)
  • Fowler, William, Sgt, (1966-1969)
  • Hatley, Guy, Sgt, (1968-1974)
  • Jarrell, Robert, LCpl, (1967-1969)
  • Lenz, Thomas, Capt, (1966-1972)
  • Morris, Phillip D, Cpl, (1968-1970)
  • Robinson, Thomas, LCpl, (1966-1970)
  • Rosselli, Anthony, Cpl, (1966-1968)
  • Saffell, Robert, SSgt, (1966-1970)
  • Scott, L C, Sgt, (1966-1970)
 
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  Navy Presidential Unit Citation - 1968
 



Name of Award
Navy Presidential Unit Citation
Year Awarded
1968

Details behind Award:
CITATION:

For extraordinary heroism in action against North Vietnamese Army forces during the battle for Khe Sanh in the Republic of Vietnam from 20 January to 1 April 1968. Throughout this period, the 26th Marines (Reinforced) was assigned the mission of holding the vital Khe Sanh Combat Base and positions on Hills 881, 861-A, 558 and 950, which dominated strategic enemy approach routes into Northern I Corps. The 26th Marines was opposed by numerically superior forces--two North Vietnamese Army divisions, strongly reinforced with artillery, tank, anti-aircraft artillery and rocket units. The enemy, deployed to take advantage of short lines of communications, rugged mountainous terrain, jungle, and adverse weather conditions, was determined to destroy the Khe Sanh Combat Base in conjunction with large scale offensive operations in the two northern provinces of the Republic of Vietnam. The 26th Marines, occupying a small but critical area, was daily subjected to hundreds of rounds of intensive artillery, mortar and rocket fire. In addition, fierce ground attacks were conducted by the enemy in an effort to penetrate the friendly positions. Despite overwhelming odds, the 26th Marines remained resolute and determined, maintaining the integrity of its positions and inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. When monsoon weather greatly reduced air support and compounded the problems of aerial resupply, the men of the 26th Marines stood defiantly firm, sustained by their own professional esprit and high sense of duty. Through their indomitable will, staunch endurance, and resolute courage, the 26th Marines and supporting units held the Khe Sanh Combat Base. The actions of the 26th Marines contributed substantially to the failure of the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army winter/spring offensive. The enemy forces were denied the military and psychological victory they so desperately sought. By their gallant fighting spirit and their countless individual acts of heroism, the men of the 26th Marines (Reinforced) established a record of illustrious courage and determination in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

LYNDON B. JOHNSON
Last Updated:
May 31, 2018
 
 
 
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