Medal of Honor: John Dury, World War II, September 25, 1944

Name: John Dury New
Rank: Private First Class
War: World War II
Date of Action: September 25, 1944
Unit: 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division
Accredited to: Alabama

Summary of Action
During the savage fighting on Peleliu, Pfc. New manned an observation post alongside two fellow Marines directing mortar fire. Without warning, a Japanese soldier burst from a cave directly below them and hurled a grenade into their position. In that split-second of mortal danger, New saw what had to be done. He threw himself onto the grenade, taking the full force of the explosion into his own body. His selfless act of valor saved the lives of both comrades, a sacrifice that forever enshrined his name among the Marine Corps’ greatest heroes.

Medal of Honor Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu Island, Palau Group, 25 September 1944. When a Japanese soldier emerged from a cave in a cliff directly below an observation post and suddenly hurled a grenade into the position from which 2 of our men were directing mortar fire against enemy emplacements, Pfc. New instantly perceived the dire peril to the other marines and, with utter disregard for his own safety, unhesitatingly flung himself upon the grenade and absorbed the full impact of the explosion, thus saving the lives of the 2 observers. Pfc. New’s great personal valor and selfless conduct in the face of almost certain death reflect the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.