Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

First Lieutenant (Lieutenant)

Unit:

Company C, 1st Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division "The Spearhead", U.S. Marine Corps

Awarded for:

Operation Detachment

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Leader of the First Battalion, Twenty-Eighth Marines, Fifth Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 19 February 1945. Although wounded in the arm soon after landing on the beach, First Lieutenant Bates bandaged his own wounds and proceeded to lead the remnants of his platoon composed of one and one-half squads across the Island as rapidly as possible to an assigned position and while en route, destroyed numerous enemy pillboxes. Upon reaching the other side of the Island, he organized his platoon and, taking command of men from other units who had succeeded in reaching that section, assigned them to their proper places in the firing line. His outstanding leadership and unfailing devotion to duty served as a constant inspiration to all men under his command, and reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Bates and the United States Naval Service.