Corporal Lewis Kenneth Bausell was a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on September 15, 1944 at Peleliu Island, Palau Group during World War II. At the time he was serving with 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Bausell was 20 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
Bausell was born on April 17, 1924 in Pulaski, Montgomery County, Virginia. His Medal of Honor is credited to Washington, District of Columbia. Bausell died on September 18, 1944 in hospital ship, at sea, Pacific Ocean, at the age of 20. He was buried at sea.
Bausell is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 34 credited to District of Columbia.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu Island, Palau Group, 15 September 1944. Valiantly placing himself at the head of his squad, Cpl. Bausell led the charge forward against a hostile pillbox which was covering a vital sector of the beach and, as the first to reach the emplacement, immediately started firing his automatic into the aperture while the remainder of his men closed in on the enemy. Swift to act, as a Japanese grenade was hurled into their midst, Cpl. Bausell threw himself on the deadly weapon, taking the full blast of the explosion and sacrificing his own life to save his men. His unwavering loyalty and inspiring courage reflect the highest credit upon Cpl. Bausell and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Lewis Kenneth Bausell received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in District of Columbia →
Timeline
- April 17, 1924Born in Pulaski, Montgomery County, Virginia
- September 15, 1944Act of valor — Peleliu Island, Palau GroupAge 20. 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division
- September 18, 1944Died in hospital ship, at sea, Pacific OceanAge 20.
- Resting placeBuried at sea
Biography
Corporal Lewis Kenneth Bausell (April 17, 1924 – September 18, 1944) was a United States Marine and posthumous recipient of the United States' highest military honor — the Medal of Honor — for his sacrifice of life, "above and beyond the call of duty", during World War II. During combat at Peleliu, he covered an exploding Japanese hand grenade in order to protect his comrades, and died of his wounds three days later. Bausell was the only enlisted Marine from the Nation's capital, Washington, D.C. to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions during World War II.
From the Wikipedia article “Lewis K. Bausell”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Named in his honor
- USS Bausell — destroyer
