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
Congressional Medal of Honor awarded to John Harlan Willis, Pharmacists Mate First Class, U.S.N. by the president for conspicious (sic) 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. Memorial is in Columbia, Tennessee, in Maury County. It 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. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 100 Nashville Highway, Columbia TN 38401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in Middle Tennessee and in Greater Nashville. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Thank You (approx. Ό mile away); 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
this page online
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.
Photographed by U.S. Navy
2. John Harlan Willis
Naval History and Heritage Command website entry
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 13, 2021
3. John Harlan Willis Memorial Bridge Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 991 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 14, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
