302 Awards Compiled & Edited By C. Douglas Sterner

Born: 4/25/1897 at Rutland, Vermont

Home Town: Burlington, Vermont

Merritt Edson served in the Vermont National Guard and performed duty on the Mexican border before joining the U.S. Marine Corps. He was the founder and commander of the First Marine Raider Battalion at the start of World War II.

*Elrod, Henry Talmage

Captain, U.S. Marine Corps

Marine Fighting Squadron 211 (VMF-211),

Date of Action: December 08 - 23, 1941

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to Henry Talmage Elrod, Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while attached to Marine Fighting Squadron Two Hundred Eleven, during action against enemy Japanese land, surface and aerial units at Wake Island, 8 to 23 December 1941. Engaging vastly superior forces of enemy bombers and warships on 9 and 12 December, Captain Elrod shot down two of a flight of 22 hostile planes and, executing repeated bombing and strafing runs at extremely low altitude and close range, succeeded in inflicting deadly damage upon a large Japanese vessel, thereby sinking the first major warship to be destroyed by small caliber bombs delivered from a fighter-type aircraft. When his plane was disabled by hostile fire and no other ships were operative, Captain Elrod assumed command of one flank of the line set up in defiance of the enemy landing and, conducting a brilliant defense, enabled his men to hold their positions and repulse intense hostile fusillades to provide covering fire for unarmed ammunition carriers. Capturing an automatic weapon during one enemy rush in force, he gave his own firearm to one of his men and fought on vigorously against the Japanese. Responsible in a large measure for the strength of his sector's gallant resistance, on 23 December, Captain Elrod led his men with bold aggressiveness until he fell, mortally wounded. His superb skill as a pilot, daring leadership and unswerving devotion to duty distinguished him among the defenders of Wake Island, and his valiant conduct reflects the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Born: 9/27/1905 at Rebecca, Georgia

Home Town: Ashburn, Georgia

*Epperson, Harold Glenn

Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve)

1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2d Marine Division

Date of Action: June 25, 1944

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to Harold Glenn Epperson, Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the First Battalion, Sixth Marines, Second Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on the Island of Saipan in the Marianas, on 25 June 1944. With his machinegun emplacement bearing the full brunt of a fanatic assault initiated by the Japanese under cover of predawn darkness, Private First Class Epperson manned his weapon with determined aggressiveness, fighting furiously in the defense of his battalion's position and maintaining a steady stream of devastating fire against rapidly infiltrating hostile troops to aid materially in annihilating several of the enemy and in breaking the abortive attack. Suddenly a Japanese soldier, assumed to be dead, sprang up and hurled a powerful hand grenade into the emplacement. Determined to save his comrades, Private First Class Epperson unhesitatingly chose to sacrifice himself and, diving upon the deadly missile, absorbed the shattering violence of the exploding charge in his own body. Stouthearted and indomitable in the face of certain death, Private First Class Epperson fearlessly yielded his own life that his able comrades might carry on the relentless battle against a ruthless enemy. His superb valor and unfaltering devotion to duty throughout reflect the highest credit upon himself and upon the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Born: 7/14/1923 at Akron, Ohio

Home Town: Akron, Ohio

*Fardy, John Peter

Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps

Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division

Date of Action: May 07, 1945

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to John Peter Fardy, Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a squad leader, serving with Company C, First Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Islands, 7 May 1945. When his squad was suddenly assailed by extremely heavy small arms fire from the front during a determined advance against strongly fortified, fiercely defended Japanese positions, Corporal Fardy temporarily deployed his men along a nearby drainage ditch. Shortly thereafter, an enemy grenade fell among the Marines in the ditch. Instantly throwing himself upon the deadly missile, Corporal Fardy absorbed the exploding blast in his own body, thereby protecting his comrades from certain and perhaps fatal injuries. Concerned solely for the welfare of his men, he willingly relinquished his own hope of survival that his fellow Marines might live to carry on the fight against a fanatic enemy. A stouthearted leader and indomitable fighter, Corporal Fardy, by his prompt decision and resolute spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death, had rendered valiant service, and his conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Born: 8/15/1922 at Chicago, Illinois

Home Town: Chicago, Illinois

*Fleming, Richard Eugene

Captain, U.S. Marine Corps

Marine Scouting-Bombing Squadron 241(VMSB-241),

Date of Action: June 04 & 05, 1942

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to Richard Eugene Fleming, Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty as Flight Officer, Marine Scout Bombing Squadron Two Hundred Forty-One, during action against enemy Japanese forces in the battle of Midway on 4 and 5 June 1942. When his Squadron Commander was shot down during the initial attack upon an enemy aircraft carrier, Captain Fleming led the remainder of the division with such fearless determination that he dived his own plane to the perilously low altitude of 400 feet before releasing his bomb. Although his craft was riddled by 179 hits in the blistering hail of fire that burst upon him from Japanese fighter guns and antiaircraft batteries, he pulled out with only two minor wounds inflicted upon himself. On the night of 4 June, when the squadron commander lost his way and became separated from the others, Captain Fleming brought his own plane in for a safe landing at its base despite hazardous weather conditions and total darkness. The following day, after less than four hours' sleep, he led the second division of his squadron in a coordinated glide-bombing and dive-bombing assault upon a Japanese battleship. Undeterred by a fateful approach glide, during which his ship was struck and set afire, he grimly pressed home his attack to an altitude of 500 feet, released his bomb to score a near miss on the stern of his target, then crashed to the sea in flames. His dauntless perseverance and unyielding devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

Born: 11/2/1917 at St. Paul, Minnesota

Home Town: St. Paul, Minnesota

The airpoort in Richard Fleming's home town of St. Paul, Minnesota, is named for this home town hero.

Foss, Joseph Jacob

Captain, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve)

Marine Fighting Squadron 121 (VMF-121), Marine Air Group 11 (MAG-11), 1st Marine Aircraft Wing

Date of Action: Oct 09 - Nov 19, 1942 and Jan 15 & 23, 1943

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to Joseph Jacob Foss, Captain, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for outstanding heroism and courage above and beyond the call of duty as executive officer of Marine Fighting Squadron One Hundred Twenty-One (VMF-121), First Marine Aircraft Wing, at Guadalcanal. Engaging in almost daily combat with the enemy from 9 October to 19 November 1942, Captain Foss personally shot down 23 Japanese planes and damaged others so severely that their destruction was extremely probable. In addition, during this period, he successfully led a large number of escort missions, skillfully covering reconnaissance, bombing, and photographic planes as well as surface craft. On 15 January 1943, he added three more enemy planes to his already brilliant successes for a record of aerial combat achievement unsurpassed in this war. Boldly searching out an approaching enemy force on 25 January, Captain Foss led his eight F-4F Marine planes and four Army P-38's into action and, undaunted by tremendously superior numbers, intercepted and struck with such force that four Japanese fighters were shot down and the bombers were turned back without releasing a single bomb. His remarkable flying skill, inspiring leadership, and indomitable fighting spirit were distinctive factors in the defense of strategic American positions on Guadalcanal.

Born: 4/17/1915 at Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Home Town: Sioux Falls, South Dakota

During World War II Joe Foss became the Marine Corps "Ace of Aces," and was one of only three Medal of Honor recipients to be featured on the cover of "Life" magazine. After his war service, Joe Foss joined the South Dakota National Guard after earning the Medal of Honor on active duty. He was elected to the South Dakota State House of Representatives from 1948 - 1953, then was elected Governor and served from 1955 to 1959. As commissioner of the early American Football League, he was a key figure in the initiation of the SUPER BOWL. He also served for a time as President of the National Rifle Association, and was host of a television documentary.

*Foster, William Adelbert

Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve)

Company K, 3d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division

Date of Action: May 02, 1945

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to William Adelbert Foster, Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a rifleman with the Third Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain 2 May 1945. Dug in with another Marine on the point of the perimeter defense after waging a furious assault against a strongly fortified Japanese position, Private First Class Foster and his comrade engaged in a fierce hand grenade duel with infiltrating enemy soldiers. Suddenly an enemy grenade landed beyond reach in the foxhole. Instantly diving on the deadly missile, Private First Class Foster absorbed the exploding charge in his own body, thereby protecting the other Marine from serious injury. Although mortally wounded as a result of his heroic action, he quickly rallied, handed his own remaining two grenades to his comrade and said, "Make them count." Stouthearted and indomitable, he had unhesitatingly relinquished his own chance of survival that his fellow Marine might carry on the relentless fight against a fanatic enemy, and his dauntless determination, cool decision and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Foster and upon the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

Born: 2/17/1915 at Cleveland, Ohio

Home Town: Cleveland, Ohio

William Foster served in the Ohio Army National Guard before joining the Marine Corps.

Galer, Robert Edward

Major, U.S. Marine Corps

Marine Fighting Squadron 224 (VMF-224), Marine Aviation Group 21 (MAG-21), Marine Aviation Group 21

Date of Action: October 01, 1942

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to Robert Edward Galer, Major, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous heroism and courage above and beyond the call of duty as leader of Marine Fighting Squadron Two Hundred Twenty-Four (VMF-224) in aerial combat with enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands area during the month of October 1942. Leading his squadron repeatedly in daring and aggressive raids against Japanese aerial forces, vastly superior in numbers, Major Galer availed himself of every favorable attack opportunity, individually shooting down 11 enemy bomber and fighter aircraft over a period of 29 days. Though suffering the extreme physical strain attendant upon protracted fighter operations at an altitude above 25,000 feet, the squadron under his zealous and inspiring leadership shot down a total of 27 Japanese planes. His superb airmanship, his outstanding skill and personal valor reflect great credit upon Major Galer's gallant fighting spirit and upon the U.S. Naval Service.

Born: 10/23/1913 at Seattle, Washington

Home Town: Seattle, Washington

*Gonsalves, Harold

Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve)

Battery L, 4th Battalion, 15th Marines, 6th Marine Division

Date of Action: April 15, 1945

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to Harold Gonsalves, Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Acting Scout Sergeant with Battery L, Fourth Battalion, Fifteenth Marines, Sixth Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, 15 April 1945. Undaunted by the powerfully organized opposition encountered on Motobu Peninsula during the fierce assault waged by his battalion against the Japanese stronghold at Mount Yaetake, Private First Class Gonsalves repeatedly braved the terrific enemy bombardment to aid his forward observation team in directing well-placed artillery fire. When his commanding officer determined to move into the front lines in order to register a more effective bombardment in the enemy's defensive position, he unhesitatingly advanced uphill with the officer and another Marine despite a slashing barrage of enemy mortar and rifle fire. As they reached the front and a Japanese grenade fell close within the group, instantly Private First Class Gonsalves dived on the deadly missile, absorbing the exploding charge in his own body and thereby protecting the others from serious and perhaps fatal wounds. Stouthearted and indomitable, Private First Class Gonsalves readily yielded his own chances of survival that his fellow Marines might carry on the relentless battle against a fanatic enemy and his cool decision, prompt action and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon himself and upon the U.S. Naval Service.

Born: 1/28/1926 at Alameda, California

Home Town: Alameda, California

*Gray, Ross Franklin

Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve)

Company A, 1st Battalion, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division

Date of Action: February 21, 1945

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to Ross Franklin Gray, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a Platoon Sergeant attached to Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-Fifth Marines, Fourth Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 21 February 1945. Shrewdly gauging the tactical situation when his platoon was held up by a sudden barrage of hostile grenades while advancing toward the high ground northeast of Airfield No. 1, Sergeant Gray promptly organized the withdrawal of his men from enemy grenade range, quickly moved forward alone to reconnoiter and discovered a heavily mined area extending along the front of a strong network of emplacements joined by covered trenches. Although assailed by furious gunfire, he cleared a path leading through the minefield to one of the fortifications, then returned to the platoon position and, informing his leader of the serious situation, volunteered to initiate an attack under cover of three fellow Marines. Alone and unarmed but carrying a huge satchel charge, he crept up on the Japanese emplacement, boldly hurled the short-fused explosive and sealed the entrance. Instantly taken under machinegun fire from a second entrance to the same position, he unhesitatingly braved the increasingly vicious fusillades to crawl back for another charge, returned to his objective and blasted the second opening, thereby demolishing the position. Repeatedly covering the ground between the savagely defended enemy fortifications and his platoon area, he systematically approached, attacked and withdrew under blanketing fire to destroy a total of six Japanese positions, more than 25 troops and a quantity of vital ordnance gear and ammunition. Stouthearted and indomitable, Sergeant Gray had single-handedly overcome a strong enemy garrison and had completely disarmed a large minefield before finally rejoining his unit. By his great personal valor, daring tactics and tenacious perseverance in the face of extreme peril, he had contributed materially to the fulfillment of his company mission. His gallant conduct throughout enhanced and sustained the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

Born: 8/1/1920 at Marvel Valley, Alabama

Home Town: Marvel Valley, Alabama

*Gurke, Henry

Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps

3d Marine Raider Battalion,

Date of Action: November 09, 1943

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to Henry Gurke, Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and courage above and beyond the call of duty while attached to the Third Marine Raider Battalion during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands area on 9 November 1943. While his platoon was engaged in the defense of a vital road block near Empress Augusta Bay on Bougainville Island. Private First Class Gurke, in company with another Marine, was delivering a fierce stream of fire against the main vanguard of the Japanese. Concluding from the increasing ferocity of grenade barrages that the enemy was determined to annihilate their small, two-man foxhole, he resorted to a bold and desperate measure for holding out despite the torrential hail of shells. When a Japanese grenade dropped squarely into the foxhole, Private First Class Gurke, mindful that his companion manned an automatic weapon of superior fire power and therefore could provide more effective resistance, thrust him roughly aside and flung his own body over the missile to smother the explosion. With unswerving devotion to duty and superb valor, Private First Class Gurke sacrificed himself in order that his comrade might live to carry on the fight. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

Born: 11/6/1922 at Neche, North Dakota

Home Town: Neche, North Dakota

*Hansen, Dale Merlin

Private, U.S. Marine Corps

Company E, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division

Date of Action: May 07, 1945

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to Dale Merlin Hansen, Private, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company E, Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, 7 May 1945. Cool and courageous in combat, Private Hansen unhesitatingly took the initiative during a critical stage of the action and, armed with a rocket launcher, crawled to an exposed position where he attacked and destroyed a strategically located hostile pillbox. With his weapon subsequently destroyed by enemy fire, he seized a rifle and continued his one man assault. Reaching the crest of a ridge, he leaped across, opened fire on six Japanese and killed four before his rifle jammed. Attacked by the remaining two Japanese, he beat them off with the butt of his rifle and then climbed back to cover. Promptly returning with another weapon and supply of grenades, he fearlessly advanced, destroyed a strong mortar position and annihilated eight more of the enemy. In the forefront of battle throughout this bitterly waged engagement, Private Hansen, by his indomitable determination, bold tactics and complete disregard of all personal danger, contributed essentially to the success of his company's mission and to the ultimate capture of this fiercely defended outpost of the Japanese Empire. His great personal valor in the face of extreme peril reflects the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service.

Born: 12/13/1922 at Wisner, Nebraska

Home Town: Wisner, Nebraska

*Hanson, Robert Murray

First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve)

Marine Fighting Squadron 215 (VMF-215),

Date of Action: November 01, 1943 - January 24, 1944

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to Robert Murray Hanson, First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life and above and beyond the call of duty as fighter pilot attached to Marine Fighting Squadron Two Hundred Fifteen (VMF-215) in action against enemy Japanese forces at Bougainville Island, 1 November 1943; and New Britain Island, 24 January 1944. Undeterred by fierce opposition, and fearless in the face of overwhelming odds, First Lieutenant Hanson fought the Japanese boldly and with daring aggressiveness. On 1 November, while flying cover for our landing operations at Empress Augusta Bay, he dauntlessly attacked six enemy torpedo bombers, forcing them to jettison their bombs and destroying one Japanese plane during the action. Cut off from his division while deep in enemy territory during a high cover flight over Simpson Harbor on 24 January, First Lieutenant Hanson waged a lone and gallant battle against hostile interceptors as they were orbiting to attack our bombers and, striking with devastating fury, brought down four Zeroes and probably a fifth. Handling his plane superbly in both pursuit and attack measures, he was a master of individual air combat, accounting for a total of 25 Japanese aircraft in this theater of war. His great personal valor and invincible fighting spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

Born: 2/4/1920 at Lucknow, India

Home Town: Newton Center, Massachusetts

Other Award: Navy Cross (WWII)

Robert Hanson was nicknamed "Butcher Bob," a tribute to his incredible score of 20 aerial victories in 17 days, making his the Marine Corps Number 3 Ace of the war. He was shot down and killed on February 3, 1944, the day before his 24th birthday, and before he could be personally presented with the Medal of Honor.