Private First Class Richard Beatty Anderson, a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for gallantry on February 1, 1944 at Roi Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands during World War II. At the time he was serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 23d Marines, 4th Marine Division. Anderson was 22 years old.
Anderson was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. 4 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
Anderson was born on June 26, 1921 in Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington. His Medal of Honor is credited to Washington. He is buried at New Tacoma Cemetery in Tacoma, Washington.
Anderson is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 40 credited to Washington.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 4th 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, Pfc. 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, Pfc. 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 U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (February 1, 1944).
- Age at death: 22
- Resting place: New Tacoma Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Richard Beatty Anderson received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Washington →
Timeline
- June 26, 1921Born in Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington
- February 1, 1944Act of valor — Roi Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall IslandsAge 22. Company E, 2d Battalion, 23d Marines, 4th Marine Division Killed in action.
- Resting placeNew Tacoma CemeteryTacoma, Washington
Biography
Richard Beatty Anderson (June 26, 1921 – February 1, 1944) was a United States Marine who sacrificed his life during World War II and received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroism.
From the Wikipedia article “Richard B. Anderson”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Named in his honor
- USS Richard B. Anderson — destroyer
