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Photo # NH 93486:  Private First Class Richard B. Anderson, USMC

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Private First Class Richard B. Anderson, USMC, (1921-1944)

Richard Beatty Anderson was born on 26 June 1921 in Tacoma, Washington. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps from that state in July 1942. After recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California, he served at San Diego area Marine Corps facilities for the next year, receiving promotion to Private First Class in April 1943.

Later in 1943, Anderson transferred to Company E, Second Battalion, Twenty-Third Marines, Fourth Marine Division and departed in January 1944 for duty in the central Pacific. On 1 February 1944, he participated in battle against the Japanese on Roi Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. While Anderson prepared to throw a grenade, it slipped from his hands and rolled towards three fellow Marines. PFC Anderson instantly dived on the weapon, taking its explosion's full impact and sacrificing his life to save his comrades. For this act of "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity", he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

USS Richard B. Anderson (DD-786), 1945-1977, was named in honor of Private First Class Richard B. Anderson.

This page features the only images we have concerning Richard B. Anderson.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 93486

Private First Class Richard B. Anderson, USMC


Who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" on 1 February 1944 during action against the Japanese at Roi Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands when he sacrificed his own life to save three fellow Marines.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 42KB; 510 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 93486-A

Private First Class Richard B. Anderson, USMC


Halftone reproduction of a photograph, copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 150.
Richard B. Anderson was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" on 1 February 1944 during action against the Japanese at Roi Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands when he sacrificed his own life to save three fellow Marines.
This image is a retouched version of that seen in Photo #: NH 93486.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 41KB; 590 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 105674

Private First Class Richard B. Anderson, USMC


Who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" on 1 February 1944 during action against the Japanese at Roi Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands when he sacrificed his own life to save three fellow Marines.
This retouched photograph was released for publication in 1944. It was received from USS Richard B. Anderson (DD-786) in 1975.

Official U.S. Marine Corps Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

Online Image: 40KB; 580 x 765 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Private First Class Richard B. Anderson, USMC (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 150):

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the FOURTH Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces on Roi Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, 1 February 1944. Entering a shell crater occupied by three other Marines, Private First Class Anderson was preparing to throw a grenade at an enemy position when it slipped from his hands and rolled toward the men at the bottom of the hole. With insufficient time to retrieve the armed weapon and throw it, Private First Class Anderson fearlessly chose to sacrifice himself and save his companions by hurling his body upon the grenade and taking the full impact of the explosion. His personal valor and exceptional spirit of loyalty in the face of almost certain death were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 25 March 2008
New image added 18 April 2008