Medal of Honor: William Dean Hawkins – World War II – November 20–21, 1943

Name: William Dean Hawkins
Rank: First Lieutenant
Organization: U.S. Marine Corps
Unit: Scout Sniper Platoon, attached to the Assault Regiment, 2nd Marine Division 
Place and Date: Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands – 20–21 November 1943
Entered Service At: Appointed from El Paso, Texas
Born: April 19, 1914 – Fort Scott, Kansas
Departed: November 21, 1943 (Killed in Action)
Accredited To: Texas

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Summary of Action

During the opening assault on Tarawa — one of the most brutal amphibious landings of World War II — 1st Lt. William D. Hawkins led his scout-sniper platoon from the very front. He was the first man off his landing craft at the end of the Betio Pier, immediately advancing under murderous fire to clear Japanese bunkers threatening the incoming Marines.

Throughout November 20th, Hawkins moved constantly among the front ranks, directing attacks on pillboxes, demolishing fortified positions, and rallying assault troops pinned down by interlocking Japanese machine guns. His personal courage set the tempo of the fight — crawling forward with grenades, standing exposed to neutralize firing ports, and leading the way into entrenched positions.

At dawn on November 21st, with the beachhead still dangerously narrow, Hawkins again took point. He led a direct assault against a heavily fortified emplacement defended by five machine guns, crawling under a storm of fire to shoot into the loopholes and destroy the position with grenades. During this attack he was seriously wounded in the chest — but he refused evacuation.

Bleeding, barely able to stand, he pressed forward. Hawkins destroyed three more pillboxes before a burst of Japanese shellfire struck him down. His actions helped break the last major resistance blocking the Marines’ expansion inland and became a defining act of heroism in the battle for Tarawa.

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Medal of Honor Citation

For valorous and gallant conduct above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of a Scout Sniper Platoon attached to the Assault Regiment in action against Japanese-held Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands, 20 and 21 November 1943. The first to disembark from the jeep lighter, 1st Lt. Hawkins unhesitatingly moved forward under heavy enemy fire at the end of the Betio Pier, neutralizing emplacements in coverage of troops assaulting the main beach positions. Fearlessly leading his men on to join the forces fighting desperately to gain a beachhead, he repeatedly risked his life throughout the day and night to direct and lead attacks on pillboxes and installations with grenades and demolitions. At dawn on the following day, 1st Lt. Hawkins resumed the dangerous mission of clearing the limited beachhead of Japanese resistance, personally initiating an assault on a hostile position fortified by 5 enemy machineguns, and, crawling forward in the face of withering fire, boldly fired pointblank into the loopholes and completed the destruction with grenades. Refusing to withdraw after being seriously wounded in the chest during this skirmish, 1st Lt. Hawkins steadfastly carried the fight to the enemy, destroying 3 more pillboxes before he was caught in a burst of Japanese shellfire and mortally wounded. His relentless fighting spirit in the face of formidable opposition and his exceptionally daring tactics served as an inspiration to his comrades during the most crucial phase of the battle and reflect the highest credit upon the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.