- SURNAME
Bolger
- FORENAME
Richard George
- UNIT
formerly 1st Marine Parachute Battalion
- RANK
Corporal
- NUMBER
490358
- DATE OF DEATH
8th March 1945
- AGE
22
- GRAVESITE
Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, California, USA. Section D, Site 383
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 23.02.1923, San Francisco, California, USA
son of William and Ethel Bolger
employed by Western Pipe & Steel Co.
30.06.1942 draft card Daly City, California
Next of kin - Parents. Mr & Mrs. William Bolger, 43 Risel Avenue, Daly City, California
KIA Iwo Jima
posthumous Silver Star
DATE OF DEATH:
08-Mar-1945CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Richard G. Bolger (MCSN: 490358), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Squad Leader, serving with Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-Seventh Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 8 March 1945. With his company pinned down by close-range enemy sniper, machine gun and knee mortar fire from a strongly defended Japanese emplacement at the base of a steep cliff, Corporal Bolger voluntarily advanced alone under the savage barrage to a strategic position and, hurling hand grenades and explosives into the hostile fortification, accounted for most of the occupants before returning to his own lines for more ammunition. Continuing his determined attack, he completely destroyed the enemy position and forced the remaining occupants to withdraw. Though mortally wounded while firing on the fleeing Japanese, Corporal Bolger had enabled his company to occupy the cliff and had contributed directly to the success of our operations in this vital area. His daring initiative, indomitable fighting spirit and great personal valor in the face of fanatical opposition inspired his comrades to greater efforts and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/35398FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/3554079/richard-george-bolger
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