Robert Hugo Dunlap was born on 19 October 1920 in Abingdon, Illinois. He was active in athletics in high school and during studies at Monmouth College, Monmouth, Illnois. While still in college, Dunlap enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve and, after graduating in May 1942, attended the Officer Candidate Course at Quantico, Virginia, receiving his commission in July of that year. In November Second Lieutenant Dunlap completed parachute training at Camp Gillespie, San Diego, California. While serving with the Third Parachute Battalion, he was promoted to First Lieutenant in April 1943 and participated in combat action on Vella LaVella and Bougainville later in the year. He received a letter of commendation for his performance under fire on 9 December 1943, during the latter campaign. In March 1944 Dunlap returned to the United States and joined the new Fifth Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California. That summer, he left the U.S. mainland for duty in the Pacific and in the fall was promoted to the rank of Captain.
While in command of Company C, First Battalion, Twenty-sixth Marines, Fifth Marine Division, Captain Dunlap participated at the Battle of Iwo Jima. On 20 February 1945, as his men advanced against Japanese forces in cliffside defenses, they were halted by opposing fire. Dunlap crawled forward alone to locate the enemy positions and provided targeting data to supporting artillery and warship guns. For the next two days and nights, he skillfully directed an intense bombardment which greatly assisted in defeating the Japanese in that sector. His efforts greatly inspired his company in their fight to achieve their objectives. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life," he was later awarded the Medal of Honor.
Dunlap was seriously wounded on 26 February. Evacuated from Iwo Jima, his subsequent medical treatment extended for more than a year. During ceremonies at the White House on 18 December 1945, Captain Dunlap was presented with the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman. In September 1946, he went on inactive duty and retired with the rank of Major at the beginning of December. Robert H. Dunlap died on 24 March 2000 and is buried at Warren County Memorial Park, Monmouth, Illinois.
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Medal of Honor citation of Captain Robert Hugo Dunlap, USMCR (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 176): |
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Page made 19 July 2006