Private Richard Keith Sorenson, a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry between February 1 and 2, 1944 at Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands during World War II. At the time he was serving with 1st Squad, 1st Platoon, Company M, 3d Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division. Sorenson was 19 years old.
4 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on July 19, 1944. Seattle Naval Hospital, Seattle, Washington, presented by Maj. Gen. Joseph C. Fegan. He later rose to the rank of First Lieutenant.
Sorenson was born on August 28, 1924 in Anoka, Anoka County, Minnesota. Sorenson died on October 9, 2004 in Reno, Nevada, at the age of 80. He is buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Sorenson is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 45 credited to Minnesota.
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 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 five other marines occupying a shell hole 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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
As a result of his gallant action, he was severely wounded, but the lives of his comrades were saved.
- Age at death: 80
- Resting place: Fort Snelling National Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Richard Keith Sorenson received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II, Battle of Kwajalein.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Minnesota →
Timeline
- August 28, 1924Born in Anoka, Anoka County, Minnesota
- February 1 - 2, 1944Act of valor — Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall IslandsAge 19. 1st Squad, 1st Platoon, Company M, 3d Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division
- July 19, 1944Medal of Honor presentedSeattle Naval Hospital, Seattle, Washington, presented by Maj. Gen. Joseph C. Fegan
- October 9, 2004Died in Reno, NevadaAge 80.
- Resting placeFort Snelling National CemeteryMinneapolis, Minnesota
Biography
Richard Keith Sorenson (August 28, 1924 – October 9, 2004) was a United States Marine who, as a private, received the Medal of Honor during World War II for his heroism during the Marine landing on Kwajalein Atoll on the night of February 1–2, 1944. He threw himself on a Japanese grenade that was part of US munitions captured during the Battle of Bataan, to save the lives of five fellow Marines. Although fragments of the grenade ripped through his thighs, hips, right arm and right leg, he survived the action. Of the 27 Marines who similarly threw themselves on grenades to save the lives of their fellow Marines during World War II, Sorenson was one of only four who lived.
From the Wikipedia article “Richard K. Sorenson”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
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