1st Marine Raider Battalion Medal of Honor Recipients

[Parker 1st MRB]

1st Marine Raider Battalion Medal of Honor Recipients

Maj. Kenneth D. Bailey (1910-1942), 1st Raider Battalion Bio

Medal of Honor citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

MAJOR KENNETH D. BAILEY UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For extraordinary courage and heroic conduct above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of Company C, First Marine Raider Battalion, during the enemy Japanese attack on Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on September 12-13, 1942. Completely reorganized following the severe engagement of the night before, Major Bailey's company, within an hour after taking its assigned position as battalion reserve between the main line and the coveted airport, was threatened on the right flank by the penetration of the enemy into a gap in the main line. In addition to repulsing this threat, while steadily improving his own desperately held position, he used every weapon at his command to cover the forced withdrawal of the main line before a hammering assault by superior enemy forces. After rendering invaluable service to the Battalion Commander in stemming the retreat, reorganizing the troops and extending the reserve position to the left, Major Bailey, despite a severe head wound, repeatedly led his troops in fierce hand to hand combat for a period of ten hours. His great personal valor while exposed to constant and merciless enemy fire, and his indomitable fighting spirit inspired his troops to heights of heroic endeavor which enabled them to repulse the enemy and hold Henderson Field. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

Cpl. Richard E. Bush (1924-2004), 1st Raider Battalion Bio

Medal of Honor citation

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to

CORPORAL RICHARD E. BUSH UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Squad Leader serving with the First Battalion, Fourth Marines, Sixth Marine Division,in action against Japanese forces during the final assault against Mt. Yaetake on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, April 16, 1945. Rallying his men forward with indomitable determination, Corporal Bush boldly defied the slashing fury of concentrated Japanese artillery fire pouring down from the gun-studded mountain fortress to lead his squad up the face of the rocky precipice, sweep over the ridge and drive the defending troops from their deeply entrenched position. With his unit, the first to break through to the inner defense of Mt. Yaetake, he fought relentlessly in the forefront of the action until seriously wounded and evacuated with others under protecting rocks. Although prostrate under medical treatment when a Japanese hand grenade landed in the midst of the group, Corporal Bush, alert and courageous in extremity as in battle, unhesitatingly pulled the deadly missile to himself and absorbed the shattering violence of the exploding charge in his own body, thereby saving his fellow Marines from severe injury or death despite the certain peril to his own life. By his valiant leadership and aggressive tactics in the face of savage opposition, Corporal Bush contributed materially to the success of the sustained drive toward the conquest of this fiercely defended outpost of the Japanese Empire and his constant concern for the welfare of his men, his resolute spirit of self- sacrifice and his unwavering devotion to duty throughout the bitter conflict enhance and sustain the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Col. Merritt A. Edson (1897-1955), 1st Raider Battalion Bio.

Medal of Honor citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to

COLONEL MERRITT A. EDSON UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion, with Parachute Battalion attached, during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands on the night of 13-14 September 1942. After the airfield on Guadalcanal had been seized from the enemy on August 8, Col. Edson, with a force of 800 men, was assigned to the occupation and defense of a ridge dominating the jungle on either side of the airport. Facing a formidable Japanese attack which, augmented by infiltration, had crashed through our front lines, he, by skillful handling of his troops, successfully withdrew his forward units to a reserve line with minimum casualties. When the enemy, in a subsequent series of violent assaults, engaged our force in desperate hand-to-hand combat with bayonets, rifles, pistols, grenades, and knives, Col. Edson, although continuously exposed to hostile fire throughout the night, personally directed defense of the reserve position against a fanatical foe of greatly superior numbers. By his astute leadership and gallant devotion to duty, he enabled his men, despite severe losses, to cling tenaciously to their position on the vital ridge, thereby retaining command not only of the Guadalcanal airfield, but also of the 1st Division's entire offensive installations in the surrounding area.

[Ness]

So many take for granted what others have fought and payed the ultimate price for. - Thank you to these brave soldiers and so many more for what we have today <3

*salute*

[B. Farr]

*Salute*

Remember and honor these and all Marines that have served our country in battle.

There is no greater price an American can pay than to give his or her life in the service off our country.

God, Country, The Corp.........Semper Fi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[evo-lution ßÄЯ]

Through their sacrifice we are able to enjoy the freedoms and way of life that have. all our freedoms come from the solidiers who gave their lives for us and for that we thank you

*salute*

[Ford 1st MRB]

This should be in the History somewhere.

Good finds Major.

[Englebretson 1st MRB]

cool

[Teachey]

*Salute*

[Kabasares]

*Salute*

[Yamagata 1st MRB]

(Edson's Ridge, Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands)

*Salute*

[Janke 1st MRB]

*Salute*

[McCaskill]

*Salute*

[xnugZz]

*Salute*

[Doran]

*Salute*

[Elder]

*Salute*

[Cantin 1st MRB]

*Salute*

[Bryant 1st MRB]

*salute*

these men make me proud to be an american

[Cast 1st MRB]

*Salute*

[Holland 1st MRB]

*Salute*