In 1943, 1st Lt William D. Hawkins would find himself fighting on Tarawa. The 1st LT landed on the beaches with the first wave and was wounded immediately; but that didn't stop him. As he led his men through the Japanese defenses, 1st LT. Hawkins single-handedly took out many enemy pillboxes, by crawling under heavy machinegun fire until he could put his rifle inside the machinegun holes, therefore killing the enemy crew. In doing so, he was wounded a second time when 30 cal rounds hit him in the chest. When the medic began bandaging him and demanded he get on a first aid boat and leave, the 1st LT refused, and said, “I’m not doing it! I came here to kill Japs, not go home!” Hawking the proceeded in clearing more bunkers until an enemy soldier shot him dead.
For his actions, 1st LT Hawkins was awarded the Medal of Honor. “To say that his conduct was worthy of the highest traditions of the Marine Corps is like saying the Empire State Building is moderately high.” – Robert Sherrod, USMC #zerofoxtrot #stayzero #marines #usmc #ww2