Wesley Phelps

Private · U.S. Marine Corps

U.S. Marine Corps Reserve

4 October 1944 · Place not recorded

Public domain. user:Cefaro Source file

Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Era: World War II
Home state: Kentucky
Action: Wesley Phelps, 4 October 1944

The citation

Official citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu Island, Palau Group, during a savage hostile counterattack on the night of 4 October 1944. Stationed with another marine in an advanced position when a Japanese handgrenade landed in his foxhole Private First Class Phelps instantly shouted a warning to his comrade and rolled over on the deadly bomb, absorbing with his own body the full, shattering Impact of the exploding charge. Courageous and indomitable, Private First Class Phelps fearlessly gave his life that another might be spared serious injury, and his great valor and heroic devotion to duty in the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Sources

U.S. Army Medal of Honor citation index
Wikipedia. Linked only. The article text is not copied here.