Posted by
GunnyG© on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 8:53:15 AM
Another one of my personal heroes surfaces here. The intrepid Colonel Shoup. A cussing, stogie-chomping hard-charging leader of Marines. He was an old China hand and one tough Leatherneck. He's buried in Arlington, For a great book on the seizure of Tarawa, give USMC Colonel Alexander's book, "Utmost Savagery" a read.
Colonel David M. Shoup USMC
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to:
COLONEL DAVID M. SHOUP
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of all Marine Corps Troops in action against enemy Japanese forces on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands, from November 20 to 22, 1943. Although severely shocked by an exploding enemy shell soon after landing at the pier, and suffering from a serious, painful leg wound which had become infected, Colonel Shoup fearlessly exposed himself to the terrific, relentless artillery, machine-gun and rifle fire from hostile shore emplacements and, rallying his hesitant troops by his own inspiring herosim, gallantly led them across the fringing reefs to charge the heavily fortified island and reinforce our hard-pressed, thinly held lines. Upon arrival on shore, he assumed command of all landed troops and, working without rest under constant, withering enemy fire during the next two days, conducted smashing attacks against unbeliveable strong and fanatically defended Japanese positions despite innumerable obstacles and heavy casualties. By his brilliant leadership, daring tactics and selfless devotion to duty, Colonel Shoup was largely responsible for the final, decisive defeat of the enemy, and his indomitable fighting spirit reflects great credit upon the United States Naval Service.
The future 22d Commandant of the
United States Marine Corps
Col Shoup's famous message from Tarawa.