Born: April 19, 1914
War: World War II
Rank: First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps
Location of Action: Tarawa
Date of Action: November 20 and 21, 1943
Official Medal of Honor Citation: For valorous and gallant conduct above and beyond the call of duty as
commanding officer of a Scout Sniper Platoon attached to the Assault Regiment in
action against Japanese-held Tarawa in the Gilbert Island, 20 and 21 November 1943.
The first to disembark from the jeep lighter, 1st Lt. Hawkins unhesitatingly moved forward
under heavy enemy fire at the end of the Betio Pier, neutralizing emplacements in coverage of
troops assaulting the main beach positions. Fearlessly leading his men on to join the
forces fighting desperately to gain a beachhead, he repeatedly risked his life throughout the
day and night to direct and lead attacks on pillboxes and installations with grenades
and demolitions
At dawn on the following day, 1st Lt. Hawkins resumed the dangerous mission of clearing the
limited beachhead of Japanese resistance, personally initiating an assault on a hostile
position fortified by S enemy machineguns, and, crawling forward in the face of withering
fire, boldly fired pointblank into the loopholes and completed the destruction with
grenades.
Refusing to withdraw after being seriously wounded in the chest during this skirmish,
1st Lt. Hawkins steadfastly carried the fight to the enemy, destroying 3 more pillboxes
before he was caught in a burst of Japanese shellfire and mortally wounded.
His relentless fighting spirit in the face of formidable opposition and his exceptionally
daring tactics served as an inspiration to his comrades during the most crucial
phase of the battle and reflect the highest credit upon the U.S. Naval Service.
WILLIAM DEAN HAWKINS
