Show ray J H H witherell former marine 0 medal pay H witherell of tooele thoele has just received a second citation for devotion to duty while serving with the united states marines previously awarded a bronze star medal for bravery on saifan dur ing the assault when he was a driver of an amphibious tractor which was hit by a shell and set afire mr witherell received a sec ond citation fot for iwo jima from john L sullivan secretary of 0 the navy it reads as follows the president of the united states takes pleasure in unsent mg ing the GOLD STAR in lieu of a second bronze 4 star to platoon sergeant RAY A q H WITHERELL L united states marine corps fo for r service as set forth in the following CITATION for heroic achievement while serving as a member of an amphia bian nan tractor platoon of company B 3 fifth amphibian tractor bat fourth marine division re in forced in action against enemy japanese forces during the assault on enemy held iwo jima volcano islands 19 february 1945 volun deering to remain on the beach after his tractor was disabled by hostile fire platoon I 1 sergeant with erell immediately located supply dumps and directed tractors to them during the night under heavy enemy shell fire courageously leading the vehicles to the front lines by walking in front of them while searching for passable routes and examining the ground for mines his courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the united states naval service sergeant Withe witherell s award was forwarded to him by the comman dant of the marine corps general clifton B gates cates mr witherell is at present an employee of safeway stores he ile is a member of james J williams de league in tooele thoele |