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Medal of Honor - United States Marine Recon Recipients
Richard A. Anderson
Terrence C. Graves
Jimmie E. Howard
Robert H. Jenkins Jr.
Ralph H. Johnson
Frank S. Reasoner
The President of the United States, in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to:
LANCE CORPORAL RICHARD A. ANDERSON
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Assistant Fire Team Leader with Company E, Third Reconnaissance Battalion, Third Marine Division, in connection with combat operations against an armed enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. While conducting a patrol during the early morning hours of 24 August 1969, Lance Corporal Anderson's reconnaissance team came under a heavy volume of automatic weapons and machine-gun fire from a numerically superior and well-concealed enemy force. Although painfully wounded in both legs and knocked to the ground during the initial moments of the fierce fire fight, Lance Corporal Anderson assumed a prone position and continued to deliver intense suppressive fire in an attempt to repulse the attackers. Moments later he was wounded a second time by an enemy soldier who had approached to within eight feet of the team's position. Undaunted, he continued to pour a relentless stream of fire at the assaulting unit, even while a companion was treating his leg wounds. Observing an enemy grenade land between himself and the other Marine, Lance Corporal Anderson immediately rolled over and covered the lethal weapon with his body, absorbing the full effects of the detonation. By his indomitable courage, inspiring initiative, and selfless devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Anderson was instrumental in saving several Marines from serious injury or possible death. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.
Richard M. Nixon
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
The first Sniper awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor
1st LT WILLIAM DEAN HAWKINS
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps.
Born: 19 April 1914, Fort Scott, Kansas. Appointed from: El Paso, Tex.
Citation : For valorous and gallant conduct above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of a Scout Sniper Platoon attached to the Assault Regiment in action against Japanese-held Tarawa in the Gilbert Island, 20 and 21 November 1943. The first to disembark from the jeep lighter, 1st Lt. Hawkins unhesitatingly moved forward under heavy enemy fire at the end of the Betio Pier, neutralizing emplacements in coverage of troops assaulting the main beach positions. Fearlessly leading his men on to join the forces fighting desperately to gain a beachhead, he repeatedly risked his life throughout the day and night to direct and lead attacks on pillboxes and installations with grenades and demolitions. At dawn on the following day, 1st Lt. Hawkins resumed the dangerous mission of clearing the limited beachhead of Japanese resistance, personally initiating an assault on a hostile position fortified by 5 enemy machineguns, and, crawling forward in the face of withering fire, boldly fired pointblank into the loopholes and completed the destruction with grenades. Refusing to withdraw after being seriously wounded in the chest during this skirmish, 1st Lt. Hawkins steadfastly carried the fight to the enemy, destroying 3 more pillboxes before he was caught in a burst of Japanese shellfire and mortally wounded. His relentless fighting spirit in the face of formidable opposition and his exceptionally daring tactics served as an inspiration to his comrades during the most crucial phase of the battle and reflect the highest credit upon the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
President of the United States.
Footnote: First Lieutenant William Dean Hawkins was born on April 19, 1914 to Mrs. C. Jane Hawkins in Fort Scott, Kansas. He attended Lamar and Alta Vista schools in El Paso, Texas and graduated at age 16 from El Paso High School. He attended Texas School of Mines (now University of Texas at El Paso) on a scholarship. Though he claimed to oppose war, he joined the Marines in January 1942. He fought in the campaign for the Solomon Islands and accepted a battlefield commission in November 1942. He was a Scout/Sniper during the assault of Tarawa and was cited for his actions November 20 and 21, 1943 when he was killed. After the island was secured the airstrip was named Hawkins Field in his honor. A destroyer was named in his honor, The USS Hawkins (DD-873) and commissioned February 10, 1945. He is buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii.
The President of the United States, in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting
the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to:
FIRST LIEUTENANT FRANK S. REASONER
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Commanding Officer, Company A, 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division in action against hostile Viet Cong forces near Da Nang, Vietnam on 12 July 1965. The reconnaissance patrol led by First Lieutenant Reasoner had deeply penetrated heavily controlled enemy territory when it came under extremely heavy fire from an estimated 50 to 100 Viet Cong insurgents. Accompanying the advance party and the point that consisted of five men, he immediately deployed his men for an assault after the Viet Cong had opened fire from numerous concealed positions. Boldly shouting encouragement, and virtually isolated from the main body, he organized a base of fire for an assault on the enemy positions. The slashing fury of the Viet Cong machine gun and automatic weapons fire made it impossible for the main body to move forward. Repeatedly exposing himself to the devastating attack he skillfully provided covering fire, killing at least two Viet Cong and effectively silencing an automatic weapons position in a valiant attempt to effect evacuation of a wounded man. As casualties began to mount his radio operator was wounded and First Lieutenant Reasoner immediately moved to his side and tended his wounds. When the radio operator was hit a second time while attempting to reach a covered position, First Lieutenant Reasoner courageously running to his aid through the grazing machine gun fire fell mortally wounded. His indomitable fighting spirit, valiant leadership and unflinching devotion to duty provided the inspiration that was to enable the patrol to complete its mission without further casualties. In the face of almost certain death, he gallantly gave his life in the service of his country. His actions upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Richard M. Nixon
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
United States Marine Scout Snipers
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