SHOUP, DAVID MONROE - Medal of Honor Recipient
Rank and organization: Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps, commanding officer
of all Marine Corps troops on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, and Gilbert Islands,
from 20 to 22 November 1943. Entered service at: Indiana. Birth: 30 December
1904, Tippecanoe, Ind. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding
officer of all Marine Corps troops in action against enemy Japanese forces
on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands, from 20 to 22 November
1943. Although severely shocked by an exploding enemy shell soon after
landing at the pier and suffering from a serious, painful leg wound which
had become infected, Col. Shoup fearlessly exposed himself to the terrific
and relentless artillery, machinegun, and rifle fire from hostile shore
emplacements. Rallying his hesitant troops by his own inspiring heroism,
he gallantly led them across the fringing reefs to charge the heavily fortified
island and reinforce our hard-pressed, thinly held lines. Upon arrival
on shore, he assumed command of all landed troops and, working without
rest under constant, withering enemy fire during the next 2 days, conducted
smashing attacks against unbelievably strong and fanatically defended Japanese
positions despite innumerable obstacles and heavy casualties. By his brilliant
leadership daring tactics, and selfless devotion to duty, Col. Shoup was
largely responsible for the final decisive defeat of the enemy, and his
indomitable fighting spirit reflects great credit upon the U.S. Naval Service.
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