James La Belle was born in Columbia Heights, Minnesota on 22 November 1925. He attended grammar school in his neighborhood in Minneapolis and, in his spare time, played basketball and baseball and enjoyed boxing. His spare time favorite was the raising of homing pigeons.

He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Iwo Jima during World War II.

At age 17, with his mother's permission, La Belle enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in Minneapolis. After completing boot camp, he went to Camp Pendleton, California, where he qualified in the intensive combat training course before embarking for overseas.

On 30 June 1944, he joined the regimental Weapons Company, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division. The following August he sailed on board the USS George F Elliott, bound for Hilo, Hawaii, and eventually the lava ash shores of Iwo Jima.

On 19 February 1945, after aerial and naval forces had pounded its desolate surface for many days, the island of Iwo Jima felt the sting of the invading Marine amphibious forces. One of thousands, PFC La Belle fought continuously from the initial landing until 8 March 1945 when he gallantly gave his life and by throwing himself on a grenade to save his comrades.

Commendations + Awards

★ Medal of Honor
★ Purple Heart
★ Combat Action Ribbon
★ World War II Victory Medal
★ American Campaign Medal
★ Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation
★ Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
★ Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
★ Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal

JAMES DENNIS LA BELLE

Service

PFC

Resting Place

Mementos

Tributes

Word Cloud

undefined

Milestones

Mementos

Historical Documents

Veteran programs and services

More VA resources

Get VA updates

In crisis? Get help now

Contact us