Robert Hugo Dunlap

He risked his life to find and silence concealed enemy guns.

A Monmouth College graduate, Robert Hugo Dunlap joined the Marine Corps Reserve in 1942. He trained as a parachutist and fought at Vella Lavella and Bougainville in 1943 before joining the new 5th Marine Division. He earned the Medal of Honor on Iwo Jima on February 20 and 21, 1945. A captain commanding Company C, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division, he led an advance against Japanese positions in steep cliffs.

When heavy fire halted the company, Dunlap crawled forward alone to locate enemy guns. He returned with information for artillery and naval gunfire, then directed supporting fire from an exposed observation position. His work helped the Marines continue their advance.

Born in Abingdon, Illinois, on October 19, 1920, Dunlap later attained the rank of major. President Harry S. Truman presented his medal on December 18, 1945. Wounded in the hip on 26 February, he underwent prolonged hospital treatment and retired as a major in December 1946. He married Mary Louise Frantz in December 1945; they had two children. After farming in Abingdon, he became a schoolteacher and retired in 1982. He died in Monmouth, Illinois, on March 24, 2000, and is buried at Warren County Memorial Park.

Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of Company C, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands on 20 and 21 February, 1945. Defying uninterrupted blasts of Japanese artillery, mortar, rifle, and machine-gun fire, Capt. Dunlap led his troops in a determined advance from low ground uphill toward the steep cliffs from which the enemy poured a devastating rain of shrapnel and bullets, steadily inching forward until the tremendous volume of enemy fire from the caves located high to his front temporarily halted his progress. Determined not to yield, he crawled alone approximately 200 yards forward of his front lines, took observation at the base of the cliff 50 yards from Japanese lines, located the enemy gun positions, and returned to his own lines where he relayed the vital information to supporting artillery and naval gunfire units. Persistently disregarding his own personal safety, he then placed himself in an exposed vantage point to direct more accurately the supporting fire and, working without respite for two days and two nights under constant enemy fire, skillfully directed a smashing bombardment against the almost impregnable Japanese positions despite numerous obstacles and heavy marine casualties. A brilliant leader, Capt. Dunlap inspired his men to heroic efforts during this critical phase of the battle and by his cool decision, indomitable fighting spirit, and daring tactics in the face of fanatic opposition greatly accelerated the final decisive defeat of Japanese countermeasures in his sector and materially furthered the continued advance of his company. His great personal valor and gallant spirit of self-sacrifice throughout the bitter hostilities reflect the highest credit upon Capt. Dunlap and the U.S. Naval Service.