Colonel Justice M. Chambers
United States Marine Corps Reserve

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of the Third Assault Battalion Landing Team, Twenty-Fifth Marines, Fourth Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands from 19 to 22 February 1945. Under a furious barrage of enemy machine-gun and small-arms fire from the commanding cliffs on the right, Colonel Chambers, then Lieutenant Colonel, landed immediately after the initial assault waves of his Battalion on D-Day to find the momentum of the assault threatened by heavy casualties from withering Japanese artillery, mortar, rocket, machine-gun and rifle fire. Exposed to relentless hostile fire, he coolly reorganized his battle-weary men, inspiring them to heroic efforts by his own valor and leading them in an attack on the critical, impregnable high ground from which the enemy was pouring an encreasing volumn of fire directly onto troops ashore as well as amphibious craft in succeeding waves. Constantly in the front lines encouraging his men to push forward against the enemy's savage resistance, Colonel Chambers led the 8-hour battle to carry the flanking ridge top and reduce the enemy's fields of aimed fire, thus protecting the vital foothold gained. In constant defiance of hostile fire while reconnoitering the entire Regimental Combat Team zone of action, he maintained contact with adjacent units and forwarded vital information to the Regimental Commander. His zealous fighting spirit undiminished despite terrific casualties and the loss of most of his key officers, he again reorganized his troops for renewed attack against the enemy's main line of resistance and was directing the fire of the rocket platoon when he fell, critically wounded. Evacuated under heavy Japanese fire, Colonel Chambers, by forceful leadership, courage and fortitude in the face of staggering odds, was directly instrumental in insuring the success of subsequent operations of the Fifth Amphibious Corps on Iwo Jima, thereby sustaining and enhancing the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Harry S. Truman
President of the United States

Footnote: Colonel Chambers was born in Huntington, West Virginia on 2 Febuary 1908. He attended Marshall College, George Washington University and the National University where he obtained his law degree. He joined the Marine Corps Reserve in 1929 and was commissioned in 1932. When the Fifth Battalion was called to active duty in the summer of 1940, he had been promoted to Major. For action on Tulagi he was awarded the Silver Star. In the Fourth Marine Division, he commanded the Third Battalion, Twenty-Fifth Marines. On Saipan he suffered a blast concussion, but returned to lead his command there and on Tinian. He was known in the Third Assualt Battalion as "Jumpin Joe". The Medal of Honor was presented at the White House by President Harry S. Truman on 1 November 1950. After leaving the Marine Corps in 1946, he made his home in Rockville, Maryland. During his post-war career he served as assistant chairman of the Federal Personnel Council, staff advisor to the Senate Armed Forces Committee, and deputy director of the Office of Emergency Planning. Later he was president of his own consulting firm. His widow, Mrs. Barbara Chambers Skinner, said that he valued most the following: 1. His service in the United States Marine Corps and the ties with all the men with whom he served. 2. His family. 3. The Washington Redskins. The Marine Corps Reserve Center in Cleveland, Ohio, is named in his honor. He passed away on 29 July 1982, and is buried in Arlington National Cenetery (6-5813-A-9), Arlington, Virginia.

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