In September 1939 Harrell arrived at Texas A&M and remained there for four semesters. With an interest in the scientific breeding of horses and cattle, he selected animal husbandry as his field of study and selected the cavalry as his military science requirement. An aunt provided some financial support, but Harrell understood that he had to finance his own way. After two years in College Station, he decided to seek employment in order to pay for his the rest of his education. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he sought to join the military.
Sergeant Harrell hit the beach on Iwo Jima with the Twenty-eighth in the early hours of February 19, 1945. The Fifth Division was ordered to the southern part of the island facing Mount Suribachi. The Marines had taken Mount Suribachi and one of the two airfields by February 24.
In the early morning of March 3, Harrell and fellow Texan PFC Andrew J. Carter of Paducah manned a foxhole in a perimeter defense about twenty yards in front of the company command post. At about 5:00 A.M., the enemy attacked. Carter shot first and killed four Japanese moving toward him. Sergeant Harrell rapidly fired his carbine and killed two Japanese who had emerged from a ravine. After Carter's rifle jammed, Harrell ordered him to the rear to secure another one. Fighting alone and ignoring the dangers of enemy grenades landing near him, Harrell fought the Japanese and took enemy fire that shot off his left hand and fractured his thigh. After securing a rifle, Carter returned to aid Harrell. Unable to reload his rifle, Harrell drew a pistol with his right hand to kill a Japanese officer who slashed Carter's hand with a samurai sword. Convinced his comrade might bleed to death, Harrell ordered him to the command post.
Although exhausted and injured, Harrell found the strength to kill two more Japanese charging him, one with pistol fire and the other with a grenade that exploded and tore off his (Harrell's) right hand. After the fighting, medics found Harrell and twelve dead Japanese by him. Harrell's commander called the position the "two-man Alamo." For their heroics, Harrell received the Medal of Honor, and Carter received the Navy Cross.
Sergeant Harrell hit the beach on Iwo Jima with the Twenty-eighth in the early hours of February 19, 1945. The Fifth Division was ordered to the southern part of the island facing Mount Suribachi. The Marines had taken Mount Suribachi and one of the two airfields by February 24.
In the early morning of March 3, Harrell and fellow Texan PFC Andrew J. Carter of Paducah manned a foxhole in a perimeter defense about twenty yards in front of the company command post. At about 5:00 A.M., the enemy attacked. Carter shot first and killed four Japanese moving toward him. Sergeant Harrell rapidly fired his carbine and killed two Japanese who had emerged from a ravine. After Carter's rifle jammed, Harrell ordered him to the rear to secure another one. Fighting alone and ignoring the dangers of enemy grenades landing near him, Harrell fought the Japanese and took enemy fire that shot off his left hand and fractured his thigh. After securing a rifle, Carter returned to aid Harrell. Unable to reload his rifle, Harrell drew a pistol with his right hand to kill a Japanese officer who slashed Carter's hand with a samurai sword. Convinced his comrade might bleed to death, Harrell ordered him to the command post.
Although exhausted and injured, Harrell found the strength to kill two more Japanese charging him, one with pistol fire and the other with a grenade that exploded and tore off his (Harrell's) right hand. After the fighting, medics found Harrell and twelve dead Japanese by him. Harrell's commander called the position the "two-man Alamo." For their heroics, Harrell received the Medal of Honor, and Carter received the Navy Cross.
