On May 14–15, 1945, during the brutal Battle of Okinawa, Major Henry A. Courtney Jr. of the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Marines, 6th Marine Division, faced entrenched Japanese forces near Sugar Loaf Hill.

After hours of fierce fighting, his depleted battalion was ordered to hold position overnight. But Major Courtney knew what that meant: a massive Japanese counterattack under cover of darkness.

He chose to strike first.

With permission secured, he personally led his Marines forward, destroying enemy cave positions and silencing machine guns under intense fire. Inspired by his example, his men followed without hesitation.

Reaching the reverse slope of Sugar Loaf Hill, reinforcements and ammunition arrived. Seeing enemy forces forming less than 100 yards away, Major Courtney made the decisive call—take the crest and crush the counterattack before it began.

Grenades in hand, he led the assault uphill, killing numerous enemy soldiers and forcing the rest back into their defenses. After securing the high ground, he moved among his Marines under heavy mortar fire, repositioning men and tending to the wounded.

He was killed instantly by mortar fire while ensuring his Marines held the line.

His bold leadership helped secure Sugar Loaf Hill and contributed directly to the success of the Okinawa campaign. For his extraordinary heroism, Major Henry Courtney Jr. was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

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