Richard B. Anderson
Richard Beatty Anderson was a United States Marine who sacrificed his life during World War II and received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroism.
Biography
Anderson was born in Tacoma, Washington, on June 26, 1921, and was raised in Agnew, Washington. He attended Macleay School in Agnew before graduating from Sequim High School in the nearby city of Sequim.Anderson entered the Marine Corps on July 6, 1942, in Oakland, California, receiving his recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. Private Anderson then joined the Marine Barracks, Naval Receiving Station in San Diego in October 1942. Promoted to private first class on April 12, 1943, he was ordered to the Infantry Battalion, Training Center, Camp Elliott, San Diego, shortly afterwards.
Anderson next joined his last unit, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines, and departed from the United States with them in January 1944. The following month, Anderson participated in the invasion of Roi Island, the first pre-war Japanese territory to fall to US Forces.
PFC Anderson, a member of the invasion force, was hunting enemy snipers. He hurled himself on a live grenade in a shell hole to save the lives of three comrades, though Anderson knew death for himself was almost certain. Anderson was evacuated to a ship, where he died of his wounds on February 1, 1944. Anderson is buried at Lot #5 Block C Section 1 #182 at the New Tacoma Cemetery, 9212 Chambers Creek Road West, Tacoma, Washington. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor — the nation's highest military decoration — and the Purple Heart.
Awards and honors
Decorations
| Medal of Honor | ||
| Purple Heart | Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal | World War II Victory Medal |
Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously tofor service as set forth in the following CITATION:
/S/ FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT