 Nyorai kupfuurira kweiyi ndima - Cates akatungamirira 1st Marines paGuadalcanal, nokuda kwaakapiwa Legion of Merit neCombat V. Akabva atanga kutungamirira 4th Marine Division muMarianas operation, Tinian campaign uye kubatwa kweIwo Jima. Nokuda kwebasa rake paTinian, Cates akagamuchira Navy Distinguished Service Medal uye Gold Star panzvimbo yechipiri mubairo webasa rake paIwo Jima. Kuronga kweTinian kwaibatanidza kuongorora kwokutanga kwakakwana kwemhepo kwechiteshi chemuvengi nemakomanda anokosha, kusanganisira Cates. Pedyo nomugumo wokurwisana paIwo Jima, Cates akaedza kunyengetedza boka revarwi reJapan rakanga rasara kuti rizviise pasi noruremekedzo pane kurwa kusvikira parufu. 