Private First Class William Adelbert Foster was a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on May 2, 1945 in Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands during World War II. At the time he was serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. Foster was 30 years old.
Foster was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 19, 1945.
Foster was born on February 17, 1915 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. His Medal of Honor is credited to Ohio. He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio.
Foster is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 256 credited to Ohio.
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 as a rifleman with the 3d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, 2 May 1945. Dug in with another marine on the point of the perimeter defense after waging a furious assault against a strongly fortified Japanese position, Pfc. Foster and his comrade engaged in a fierce hand-grenade duel with infiltrating enemy soldiers. Suddenly an enemy grenade landed beyond reach of the foxhole. Instantly diving on the deadly missile, Pfc. Foster absorbed the exploding charge in his own body, thereby protecting the other marine from serious injury. Although mortally wounded as a result of his heroic action, he quickly rallied, handed his own two remaining grenades to his comrade and said, "Make them count." Stouthearted and indomitable, he had unhesitatingly relinquished his own chance of survival that his fellow marine might carry on the relentless fight against a fanatic enemy, and his dauntless determination, cool decision, and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon Pfc. Foster and upon the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
What the citation records about his wounds:
Although mortally wounded as a result of his heroic action, he quickly rallied, handed his own two remaining grenades to his comrade and said, "Make them count." Stouthearted and indomitable, he had unhesitatingly relinquished his own chance of survival that his fellow marine might carry on the relentless fight against a fanatic enemy, and his dauntless determination, cool decision, and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon Pfc. Foster and upon the U.S. Naval Service.
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (May 2, 1945).
- Age at death: 30
- Resting place: Calvary Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, William Adelbert Foster received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II.
Places
Timeline
- February 17, 1915Born in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
- May 2, 1945Act of valor — Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu IslandsAge 30. Company K, 3d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division Killed in action.
- August 19, 1945Medal of Honor presented posthumously
- Resting placeCalvary CemeteryCleveland, Ohio
Biography
William Adelbert Foster (February 17, 1915 – May 2, 1945) was a United States Marine who received the Medal of Honor for his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty" during World War II during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.
From the Wikipedia article “William A. Foster”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Named in his honor
- Camp Foster — United States military base in Okinawa
