Billie Lee Leavell

US Navy Reserve | Service Number 865 81 46

Born

October 27, 1923
in Junction City, KS

Parents

Omer Darwin Leavell
Mae Rebecca (Wilson) Leavell

School

Details unknown
High school graduate / 1.5 years college

Pre-War Employment

US Tire & Rubber Company
in South Pasadena, CA

Entered Service

March 29, 1943
at Kansas City, MO

Joined First Battalion

November 4, 1943
from Field Medical School, Camp Elliott

Left First Battalion

March 8, 1945
Killed in action at Iwo Jima

Left Service

March 8, 1945
Killed in action

Home Address and Next of Kin

328 West 7th Street, Junction City, KS – address of parents, Omer & Mae Leavell

Service & Campaigns

Before joining battalion

Enlisted 29 March 1943; called to active duty on 3 April and sent for boot camp at US Naval Training Station Farragut, Idaho. From 28 June to 6 August 1943, student at US Navy Hospital Corps School at San Diego, CA. Completed three weeks nursing instruction, then assigned to Medical Field Service School, Camp Elliott, CA from 20 September to 26 October 1943.

Joined HQ Company, First Battalion, 24th Marines at Camp Pendleton, CA on 4 November 1943.

Roi-Namur

Outfit: Medical Section, HQ/24th Marines (attached B Co.)
Rank: Hospital Apprentice, Second Class
MOS: Corpsman

Campaign Narrative

Saipan

Outfit: Medical Section, HQ/24th Marines (attached B Co.)
Rank: Hospital Apprentice, First Class
MOS: Corpsman
Important Events:
June 28, 1944 – wounded in action (slight, cause not stated); evacuated to field hospital
July 18, 1944 – returned to duty

Campaign Narrative

Tinian

Outfit: Medical Section, HQ/24th Marines (attached B Co.)
Rank: Hospital Apprentice, First Class
MOS: Corpsman

Campaign Narrative

Iwo Jima

Outfit: Medical Section, HQ/24th Marines (attached B Co.)
Rank: Hospital Apprentice, First Class
MOS: Corpsman
Important Events:
March 8, 1945 – killed in action (shrapnel/concussion) while treating a Marine casualty.

Awarded Bronze Star Medal for actions on this date.

“For heroic service as a Hospital Corpsman attached to a Rifle Company in the 1st Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on March 8, 1945. With his company suffering many casualties from heavy mortar and small-arms fire, LEAVELL resolutely proceeded among the wounded marines under a treacherous barrage of enemy shells and bullets to administer vital first aid and attempt the evacuation of the helpless men, continuing his gallant efforts in the face of almost certain death until he was mortally wounded by a mortar burst. His courageous determination and gallant efforts on behalf of others were inspiring to those with whom he served and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”

Campaign Narrative

Individual Decorations

Medal
Bronze Star
Purple Heart
– with Gold Star

Campaign
Iwo Jima (March 8, 1945)
Saipan (June 28, 1944)
Iwo Jima (March 8, 1945)

Citation
See above

Note: Leavell was recommended for a Bronze Star for “meritorious achivement” in the Mariana Islands; it is not known if a lesser award was approved and issued.
His Iwo Jima Bronze Star was originally recommended as a Silver Star, and was reduced for unexplained reasons.

On March eighth, the company to which your son was attached was subjected to a terrific shelling by large Japanese mortars. The casualties were high, and the corpsmen in treating them had to expose themselves to the full fury of the shells. It was during such a period; Billie was treating a wounded Marine, a large mortar shell exploded very near him, killing him instantly. There were no marks on his body, which indicated that his death was a result of the concussion of the explosion.

Your son's service in the battalion has always been of the highest quality. He has on numerous occasions shown an extreme degree of courage and bravery. I can find no words to express my true feelings when I see such courageous young men give their lives in such a violent battle.