Medal of Honor: Henry Alexius Courtney Jr. – Okinawa – May 14–15, 1945

Name: Henry Alexius Courtney Jr.
Rank: Major
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
War: World War II
Unit: 2d Battalion, 22d Marines, 6th Marine Division
Date of Action: May 14–15, 1945
Location: Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands

Summary of Action

On the night of 14 May 1945, Major Henry Alexius Courtney Jr. led one of the most aggressive and desperate Marine assaults of the Okinawa campaign during the savage fighting around Sugar Loaf Hill.

After a prolonged firefight, Courtney’s battered battalion was ordered to hold in static defensive positions behind the hill.

But Courtney understood the danger.

He believed a Japanese night counterattack would devastate the exhausted Marines if they remained where they were.

Rather than wait to be attacked, he decided to strike first.

Obtaining permission to continue the assault, Courtney gathered the small number of Marines still able to fight and explained the situation to them.

He declared that he personally intended to move forward — and then immediately led the attack himself.

Advancing through intense enemy fire, Courtney blasted Japanese cave positions and neutralized enemy guns as he moved up the hill.

Inspired by his example, every Marine followed.

Together they fought through heavy machine-gun and mortar fire, maneuvering around the hill and reaching the reverse slope.

After briefly halting to bring up more ammunition and reinforcements, Courtney prepared for another assault — this time directly onto the crest of Sugar Loaf Hill itself.

Leading from the front, he attacked with relentless aggression, hurling grenades into cave entrances and destroying enemy positions at close range.

When he reached the crest, Courtney spotted large numbers of Japanese troops massing less than 100 yards away preparing for a counterattack.

He attacked immediately.

A furious close-range battle erupted across the hilltop as Marines and Japanese troops fought among the shattered defenses and caves.

Courtney’s assault broke the enemy formation and forced surviving Japanese soldiers back into cover.

Determined to hold the position, he ordered his men to dig in while he moved among them under constant enemy fire, reorganizing positions, encouraging exhausted Marines, and helping wounded men.

During this effort, a Japanese mortar round exploded nearby and killed him instantly.

Through his fearless leadership and relentless offensive spirit, Major Courtney played a critical role in securing Sugar Loaf Hill — one of the most fiercely contested objectives of the Okinawa campaign.

Medal of Honor Citation

COURTNEY, HENRY ALEXIUS, JR.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Executive Officer of the 2d Battalion, 22d Marines, 6th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Islands, 14 and 15 May 1945. Ordered to hold for the night in static defense behind Sugar Loaf Hill after leading the forward elements of his command in a prolonged fire fight, Maj. Courtney weighed the effect of a hostile night counterattack against the tactical value of an immediate marine assault, resolved to initiate the assault, and promptly obtained permission to advance and seize the forward slope of the hill. Quickly explaining the situation to his small remaining force, he declared his personal intention of moving forward and then proceeded on his way, boldly blasting nearby cave positions and neutralizing enemy guns as he went. Inspired by his courage, every man followed without hesitation, and together the intrepid marines braved a terrific concentration of Japanese gunfire to skirt the hill on the right and reach the reverse slope. Temporarily halting, Maj. Courtney sent guides to the rear for more ammunition and possible replacements. Subsequently reinforced by 26 men and an LVT load of grenades, he determined to storm the crest of the hill and crush any planned counterattack before it could gain sufficient momentum to effect a breakthrough. Leading his men by example rather than by command, he pushed ahead with unrelenting aggressiveness, hurling grenades into cave openings on the slope with devastating effect. Upon reaching the crest and observing large numbers of Japanese forming for action less than 100 yards away, he instantly attacked, waged a furious battle and succeeded in killing many of the enemy and in forcing the remainder to take cover in the caves. Determined to hold, he ordered his men to dig in and, coolly disregarding the continuous hail of flying enemy shrapnel to rally his weary troops, tirelessly aided casualties and assigned his men to more advantageous positions. Although instantly killed by a hostile mortar burst while moving among his men, Maj. Courtney, by his astute military acumen, indomitable leadership and decisive action in the face of overwhelming odds, had contributed essentially to the success of the Okinawa campaign. His great personal valor throughout sustained and enhanced the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.