Medal of Honor Memorial

Private First Class James D. LaBelle was a 17-year-old high school senior when he, like thousands of other students throughout our nation, enlisted in the U.S. Marines so he could serve his country in World War II. Less than two years later at a battle on the island of Iwo Jima, James jumped on a grenade, which saved the lives of his fellow Marines, but mortally wounded him. For his selfless actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman.