This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Surnames: CHAMBERS
Classification: Military
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/BUI.2ACIB/2537
Message Board Post:
Source:
http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/moh1.htm
Note: This is not my ancestry. I have NO additional information. I am just passing along
information that may be useful.
CHAMBERS, JUSTICE M.
Rank and organization: Colonel. U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 3rd Assault Battalion Landing
Team. 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division. Place and date: On Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands.
from 19 to 22 February 1945. Entered service at: Washington, D.C. Born: 2 February 1908,
Huntington, W. Va. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his
life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of the 3d Assault Battalion
Landing Team, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces
on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 19 to 22 February 1945. Under a furious barrage of
enemy machinegun and small-arms fire from the commanding cliffs on the right, Col.
Chambers (then Lt. Col.) landed immediately after the initial assault waves of his
battalion on D-day to find the momentum of the assault threatened by heavy casualties from
withering Japanese artillery, mortar rocket, machinegun, and rifle fire. Exposed to
relentless hostile fire, he c!
oolly reorganized his battle-weary men, inspiring them to heroic efforts by his own valor
and leading them in an attack on the critical, impregnable high ground from which the
enemy was pouring an increasing volume of fire directly onto troops ashore as well as
amphibious craft in succeeding waves. Constantly in the front lines encouraging his men to
push forward against the enemy's savage resistance, Col. Chambers led the 8-hour
battle to carry the flanking ridge top and reduce the enemy's fields of aimed fire,
thus protecting the vital foothold gained. In constant defiance of hostile fire while
reconnoitering the entire regimental combat team zone of action, he maintained contact
with adjacent units and forwarded vital information to the regimental commander. His
zealous fighting spirit undiminished despite terrific casualties and the loss of most of
his key officers, he again reorganized his troops for renewed attack against the
enemy's main line of resistance and was di!
recting the fire of the rocket platoon when he fell, critically wounde
d. Evacuated under heavy Japanese fire, Col. Chambers, by forceful leadership, courage,
and fortitude in the face of staggering odds, was directly instrumental in insuring the
success of subsequent operations of the 5th Amphibious Corps on Iwo Jima, thereby
sustaining and enhancing the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
Burial: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
Born: 1908; HUNTINGTON, WV
Died: 1982
Additional Information and cemetery monument photo:
http://www.homeofheroes.com/gravesites/arlington/chambers_justice.html