World War II
Jonathan M. Wainwright
General · U.S. Army
Commanding U.S. Army Forces in the Philippines
7 May 1942 · Philippine Islands
Public domain. Unknown; released by the United States Department of Defense. Wikimedia Commons. Source file
- Branch
- U.S. Army
- Era
- World War II
- Home state
- New York
- Action
- Philippine Islands
The citation
Official citation
Distinguished himself by intrepid and determined leadership against greatly superior enemy forces. At the repeated risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in his position, he frequented the firing line of his troops where his presence provided the example and incentive that helped make the gallant efforts of these men possible. The final stand on beleaguered Corregidor, for which he was in an important measure personally responsible, commanded the admiration of the Nation's allies. It reflected the high morale of American arms in the face of overwhelming odds. His courage and resolution were a vitally needed inspiration to the then sorely pressed freedom-loving peoples of the world.