b. 04/12/1918 Bokoshe, Oklahoma. d. 31/03/1945 Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippines.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 31/03/1945 Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippines.
William R Shockley MOH
He was born December 4, 1918, in Bokoshe, Oklahoma and enlisted in the Army from Selma, California. By March 31, 1945, he was serving as a private first class in Company L, 128th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division. During a Japanese counterattack on that day, on the Villa Verde Trail in Luzon, the Philippines, he voluntarily stayed behind and provided covering fire while the rest of his unit retreated. Shockley was killed by the advancing Japanese soldiers.
He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor seven months later, on October 19, 1945.
MOH CITATION:
He was in position with his unit on a hill when the enemy, after a concentration of artillery fire, launched a counterattack. He maintained his position under intense enemy fire and urged his comrades to withdraw, saying that he would “remain to the end” to provide cover. Although he had to clear two stoppages which impeded the reloading of his weapon, he halted one enemy charge. Hostile troops then began moving in on his left flank, and he quickly shifted his gun to fire on them. Knowing that the only route of escape was being cut off by the enemy, he ordered the remainder of his squad to withdraw to safety and deliberately remained at his post. He continued to fire until he was killed during the ensuing enemy charge. Later, four Japanese were found dead in front of his position. Pfc. Shockley, facing certain death, sacrificed himself to save his fellow soldiers, but the heroism and gallantry displayed by him enabled his squad to reorganize and continue its attack.
BURIAL LOCATION: FLORAL MEMORIAL PARK, SELMA, CALIFORNIA.
SECTION D, ROW 16, SPACE 3.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
