William E. Kail

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to William E. Kail (940038), Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism as a Wireman, serving with the Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 15 March 1945. After successfully completing his assigned task of laying telephone lines to a Company Command Post, Private First Class Kail, seeing a Marine flame thrower struck down by relentless Japanese machine-gun fire forward of the Command Post, valiantly worked his way over gutted earth under treacherous hostile sniper fire to aid the stranded man. While at his comrade’s side, Private First Class Kail was suddenly pinned down by bursting machine-gun fire from a nearby enemy-held mound and, although painfully wounded and repeatedly knocked to the ground by the murderous barrage, unflinchingly rose and met the opposition with grenades and gunfire. After emptying his own carbine into the mound, he resolutely continued firing with the wounded Marine’s rifle until he himself was mortally wounded. His inspiring actions, complete selflessness and unfailing devotion to duty enhanced the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Commander in Chief, Pacific Forces: Serial 34985 (September 27, 1945)