William Pinkney Linkins, Jr.

Boot camp at Parris Island with Second Recruit Battalion. Appointed Drill Instructor following graduation.

To New River, NC with Seventh Separate Recruit Battalion (as instructor) on 5 October 1942. Transferred to Company A, First Separate Battalion (Reinforced) on 20 November 1942.

Outfit: A/1/24th Marines
Rank: Corporal
MOS: 653 (Squad Leader)

Campaign Narrative

Outfit: A/1/24th Marines
Rank: Corporal
MOS: 653 (Platoon Guide)
Important Events:
July 18, 1944 – promoted to sergeant.

Awarded Bronze Star Medal for service during the campaign.

As a platoon guide serving with a battalion of a Marine division during action on Saipan from 15Jun-9Jul44, Sgt. Linkins exposed himself to a barrage from hostile weapons and provided automatic covering fire for a demolition team, contributing to the success of this unit in silencing an enemy machine gun entrenched in a cave. Later, leading a volunteer group into a dangerous, sniper-infested area, he fought with aggressiveness and personally accounted for six Japanese gunners.

Campaign Narrative

Outfit: A/1/24th Marines
Rank: Sergeant
MOS: 653 (Squad Leader)
Important Events:
July 25, 1944 – killed in action (gunshot or fragment wound, head), either during or immediately after a major Japanese counterattack.

Awarded Silver Star Medal for actions on this date:

While serving with a battalion of a Marine division during action at Tinian on 25Jul44, discovering a nearby machine gun temporarily out of action when all members of the crew were seriously wounded by enemy grenade fire during a fierce Japanese counterattack in the early morning, Sgt. Linkins immediately rushed over to the gun under withering hostile fire and, continuing to man the weapon alone, poured a steady stream of devastating fire on the Japanese until all casualties had been treated and evacuated. Although wounded during the bitter action, Sgt. Linkins personally annihilated 20 enemy troops and contributed to the saving of many lives.

Campaign Narrative