Richard Sorenson was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor
for his actions on Namur Island in the Marshall Islands,
February, 1944.
While serving with an assault battalion attached to the 4th
Marine Division, Richard Sorenson and approximately 30 other men
were defending a small position against an overwhelming force
after a devastating explosion forced his entire battalion to
fall back. The men found themselves alone and surrounded when
they failed to receive word of the retreat. While defending
their position Sorenson saw a grenade fall nearby and without
hesitation covered it with his own body. His actions saved most
of the members of his small unit and enabled the successful
defense of their position.
