Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

First Lieutenant (Lieutenant)

Unit:

Company F, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division "Fighting Third", U.S. Marine Corps

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of Company F, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 26 February to 8 March 1945. Leading his company in an attack against strong enemy positions which had been checking the advance of three Marine Divisions near Motoyama Airfield Number Two, on 26 February, First Lieutenant O'Bannon braved intense artillery, mortar and small-arms fire to direct his men in gaining their objective and, repeatedly exposing himself to hostile fie in the days that followed, continued to lead and direct assault squads in the reduction of enemy pillboxes and strong points. In a pre-dawn attack on 7 March, against enemy positions east of the airfield when he and ten of his men were cut off from the rest of the company and surrounded by the enemy, he directed a defense against heavy mortar, small-arms and grenade fire and enabled his group to hold out for thirty-six hours. When tanks arrived to aid in the withdrawal on 8 March, he refused to leave the area until the last of his men had been carried to safety. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant O'Bannon and the United States Naval Service."

SPOT AWARD, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific: Serial 67348