William Ralph Shockley Edit Profile

Background

He was born December 4, 1918 in Bokoshe, Oklahoma and enlisted in the Army from Selma, California.

Career

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.

Shockley, aged 26 at his death, was buried in Floral Memorial Cemetery, Selma, California.

Achievements

He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor seven months later, on October 19, 1945. Private First Class Shockley"s official reads:.

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Born

December 4, 1918

Bokoshe, Oklahoma, Le Flore County, United States of America
Died

March 31, 1945 (aged 26)

Luzon, Philippines
Nationality
United States

Awards

Medal of Honor; Bronze Star Medal; Purple Heart Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor citation Private First Class Shockley's official Medal of Honor citation reads: 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.

Medal of Honor citation Private First Class Shockley's official Medal of Honor citation reads: 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.

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