SORENSON, RICHARD KEITH - Medal of Honor Recipient
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 4th Marine
Division. Place and date: Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll Marshall Islands,
1 -2 February 1944. Entered service at: Minnesota. Birth: 28 August 1924,
Anoka, Minn. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the
risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with an
assault battalion attached to the 4th Marine Division during the battle
of Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, on 1-2 February 1944.
Putting up a brave defense against a particularly violent counterattack
by the enemy during invasion operations, Pvt. Sorenson and 5 other marines
occupying a shellhole were endangered by a Japanese grenade thrown into
their midst. Unhesitatingly, and with complete disregard for his own safety,
Pvt. Sorenson hurled himself upon the deadly weapon, heroically taking
the full impact of the explosion. As a result of his gallant action, he
was severely wounded, but the lives of his comrades were saved. His great
personal valor and exceptional spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of
almost certain death were in keeping with the highest traditions of the
U.S. Naval Service.
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