Medal of Honor: William P. "Iron Mike" Winans – Dominican Campaign, July 3, 1916

William P. Winans
First Sergeant (later Brigadier General), U.S. Marine Corps
Conflict: Dominican Campaign
Unit: U.S. Marine Corps
Date of Action: July 3, 1916
Location: Guayacanas, Dominican Republic

Summary of Action:
On July 3, 1916, during the U.S. intervention in the Dominican Republic, First Sergeant William P. Winans demonstrated fearless resolve and lethal precision under fire. While advancing near Guayacanas, his force was ambushed by a well-entrenched enemy. As Corporal Joseph A. Glowin set up his machine gun and returned fire, he was wounded twice and forced from the fight.

Winans immediately moved forward with a Colt machine gun, fully exposing himself in the open. Cool under pressure, he opened fire on the enemy trench line, helping to stall the enemy assault. When his weapon jammed in the middle of the firefight, Winans stood up—under intense fire—and cleared it on the spot. Bullets chewed into the ground and logs around him. Seven Marines were wounded and one killed within 20 feet, but Winans held firm. He continued firing until the enemy broke and fled the trenches. His decisive action turned the tide of the skirmish and inspired all who witnessed it.

Medal of Honor Citation:
During an engagement at Guayacanas on 3 July 1916, 1st Sgt. Winans participated in action against a considerable force of rebels on the line of march. During a running fight of 1,200 yards, our forces reached the enemy entrenchments and Cpl. Joseph A. Glowin, U.S.M.C., placed the machine gun, of which he had charge, behind a large log across the road and immediately opened fire on the trenches. He was struck once but continued firing his gun, but a moment later he was again struck and had to be dragged out of the position into cover.

1st Sgt. Winans, U.S.M.C., then arrived with a Colt’s gun which he placed in a most exposed position, coolly opened fire on the trenches and when the gun jammed, stood up and repaired it under fire. All the time Glowin and Winans were handling their guns they were exposed to a very heavy fire which was striking into the logs and around the men, seven men being wounded and one killed within 20 feet. 1st Sgt. Winans continued firing his gun until the enemy had abandoned the trenches.