- SURNAME
Kidwell
- FORENAME
James Hubert
- UNIT
former 1st Marine Parachute Regiment
- RANK
Private First Class
- NUMBER
504308
- DATE OF DEATH
23rd February 1945
- AGE
20
- GRAVESITE
Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 26.08.1924, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
father Lawrence Virgil Kidwell (1894-1964)
mother Mary Flora (nee Greenwell) Kidwell (1897-1972)
brother Lawrence Elmer US Navy died 31.12.1943 whilst on Submarine service
25.11.1942 entered service
Next of kin - Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Virgil L. Kidwell, 628 South New Jersey Street, Indianapolis, Indiana
KIA Iwo Jima, Japan
posthumous Silver Star
DATE OF DEATH:
23-Feb-1945CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class James H. Kidwell (MCSN: 504308), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Rifleman in a platoon of Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 22 February 1945. When an extremely heavy mortar and artillery barrage halted his platoon's advance, Private First Class Kidwell daringly crawled forward of the front lines and, despite constant exposure to enemy fire, succeeded in dragging a wounded comrade into a shell hole. Realizing the urgency of more technical medical aid than he could administer, he again braved the intense shelling and carried the wounded Marine to the aid station. By his gallant act, performed in the face of grave danger, Private First Class Kidwell saved the life of a comrade, and his exceptional courage and loyal devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/42131FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/113748328/james-hubert-kidwell
Last edited:
