First Lieutenant Robert Murray Hanson, a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for gallantry on November 1, 1943 at Bougainville Island & New Britain Island during World War II. At the time he was serving with Marine Fighting Squadron 215. Hanson was 23 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 19, 1944. Boston, Massachusetts by Maj. Gen. Lewis G. Merrit to his Mother Mrs. Harry Hanson. He later rose to the rank of Captain.
Hanson was born on February 4, 1920 in Lucknow, India — one of 2 recipients born in India. His Medal of Honor is credited to Massachusetts. Hanson died on February 3, 1944 in at sea, Papua New Guinea, at the age of 23. He is buried at A.B.M.C. Manila Cemetery.
Hanson is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 265 credited to Massachusetts.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as fighter pilot attached to Marine Fighting Squadron 215 in action against enemy Japanese forces at Bougainville Island, 1 November 1943; and New Britain Island, 24 January 1944. Undeterred by fierce opposition, and fearless in the face of overwhelming odds, 1st Lt. Hanson fought the Japanese boldly and with daring aggressiveness. On 1 November, while flying cover for our landing operations at Empress Augusta Bay, he dauntlessly attacked six enemy torpedo bombers, forcing them to jettison their bombs and destroying one Japanese plane during the action. Cut off from his division while deep in enemy territory during a high cover flight over Simpson Harbor on 24 January, 1st Lt. Hanson waged a lone and gallant battle against hostile interceptors as they were orbiting to attack our bombers and, striking with devastating fury, brought down four Zeros and probably a fifth. Handling his plane superbly in both pursuit and attack measures, he was a master of individual air combat, accounting for a total of 25 Japanese aircraft in this theater of war. His great personal valor and invincible fighting spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
How he died
- Awarded posthumously — died February 3, 1944.
- Manner of death: death in battle
- Age at death: 23
- Resting place: A.B.M.C. Manila Cemetery
Cause and manner of death: Wikidata.
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Robert Murray Hanson received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Education: Hamline University
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Massachusetts →
Timeline
- February 4, 1920Born in Lucknow, India
- November 1, 1943Act of valor — Bougainville Island & New Britain IslandAge 23. Marine Fighting Squadron 215
- February 3, 1944Died in at sea, Papua New GuineaAge 23.
- August 19, 1944Medal of Honor presented posthumouslyBoston, Massachusetts by Maj. Gen. Lewis G. Merrit to his Mother Mrs. Harry Hanson
- Resting placeA.B.M.C. Manila Cemetery
Biography
Robert Murray Hanson (4 February 1920 – 3 February 1944) was a United States Marine Corps flying ace who shot down 25 Japanese planes from the South Pacific skies. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor. One of five children, he is the elder brother of Edith Hanson and Earl Dorchester Hanson.
From the Wikipedia article “Robert M. Hanson”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Named in his honor
- USS Hanson — destroyer
