Columbia in Maury County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

John Harlan Willis Memorial Bridge

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 13, 2021

1. John Harlan Willis Memorial Bridge Marker

Inscription. Congressional Medal of Honor awarded to John Harlan Willis, Pharmacists Mate First Class, U.S.N. by the president for conspicious gallantry, exceptional fortitude and courage above and beyond the call of duty while under fire on Iwo Jima, he having died in action February 28, 1945.

Erected by American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Heroes • War, World II.

Location. 35° 37.429′ N, 87° 1.996′ W. Marker is in Columbia, Tennessee, in Maury County. Memorial is at the intersection of Nashville Highway (U.S. 31) and the Duck River, on the right when traveling south on Nashville Highway. Marker is before the bridge. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Nashville Highway, Columbia TN 38401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Jane Knox Polk Chapter (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Polk Family (approx. 0.3 miles away); Camille Leonie Herndon (approx. 0.3 miles away); Greenwood (approx. 0.3 miles away); Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Duck River and Columbia (approx. 0.4 miles away); Riverside Bridge

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(approx. 0.4 miles away); Freedmen's Savings Bank and Trust Company (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Regarding John Harlan Willis Memorial Bridge. Willis, a Columbia native, was wounded during fierce fighting near Hill 362 and ordered to the battlefield aid station. Despite his injuries he returned to the battlefield and was tending to a fallen U.S. Marine when enemy soldiers attacked with hand grenades. Willis picked up and threw back eight grenades but died when the ninth one exploded in his hand.

Also see . . . Willis, John H. Biography by Naval Heritage and History Command. (Submitted on March 14, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 13, 2021

2. John Harlan Willis Memorial Bridge Marker

John Harlan Willis image. Click for full size.

Photographed By U.S. Navy

3. John Harlan Willis

Credits. This page was last revised on April 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 179 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 14, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.