Not far from where we live is a small town called Abingdon, Illinois. We lived there for a brief period of time when I worked at the Mary Davis Home. When you enter town from the north or south there is a sign that tells you Abingdon was the home town of two Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. One is perhaps familiar to you as it is Admiral James Stockdale. He was awarded the Medal for his actions as a POW during the Vietnam war. This will be the story of the other man who earned this award for his valor.
Robert Hugo Dunlap was born on October 19, 1920 in Abingdon. He graduated from high school there in 1938. He had an active high school career participating in football, basketball, track and school plays. Following graduation from high school he attended Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois. He was treasurer of the student body as a senior and majored in economics and business administration. On March 5, 1942 while still a student he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve. He was promoted to private first class and placed on the inactive list until he graduated in May 1942. He was then called to active duty and transferred to Officer Candidates School at Quantico, Virginia. On July 18, 1942 he was commissioned a second lieutenant. He requested and was granted parachute training and was designated a parachutist on November 23, 1942. In April 1943 he was promoted to first lieutenant and participated in the invasions of Vella Lavella and Bougainville during late 1943. At Bougainville on December 9, 1943 his platoon was pinned down by heavy Japanese machine gun fire. He exposed himself to the heavy fire and was able to rally his platoon and get it into position ot reoccupy the lost ground. His actions resulted in a letter of commendation from Admiral William F. Halsey.
He returned to the United States in March 1944 to join the 5th Marine Division and became a machine gun platoon leader in Company G, Third Battalion, 26th Marines. He was shipped overseas again and promoted to Captain on October 2, 1944. On February 19, 1944 during the Iwo Jima campaign he lead his company through a hail of artillery, mortar, rifle and machine gun fire determined to advance from the low ground to steep cliffs. When enemy fire got too heavy Captain Dunlap held up his company and crawled forward alone about 200 yards forward of his front lines. From his postion at the base of the cliffs about 50 yards from the Japanese front lines he was able to spot the enemy gun positions. He returned to his lines and relayed the information to supporting artillery and naval fire units. He then placed himself in an exposed position to more accurately direct the supporting fire. He worked without respite for two days and nights under constant enemy fire. He directed a smashing bombardment against almost impregnable enemy positions. His company suffered heavy casualities but his inspiring leadership and fighting spirit encouraged his men and the enemy in his sector was decisively defeated.
He was wounded in the hip by a bullet on February 26, 1945 and evacuated from Iwo Jima. He was hospitalized for 14 months at hospitals in Guam, Pearl harbour, San Francisco and Great Lakes, Illinois. He was presented the Medal of Honor by President Harry Truman at the White House on December 18, 1945. He was discharged from the hospital on April 20, 1946 and went on inactive duty September 1946. He retired as a major on December 1, 1946.
He died March 24, 2000 and was buried in the Warren County Memorial Park in Monmouth, Illinois.
The Presidential Citation reads as follows:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of Company C, First Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, Fifth Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during th 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, Captain Dulap 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 yeild,he crawled forward 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 position 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 placed himself in an exposed poeition 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 casualities. A brilliant leader, Captain 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 on Captain Dunlap and the United States Naval Service.
So there you have the best and the brightest of small town America. Called to duty he did his best and led his men. As an interesting side note Robert Hugo Dunlap and James Stockdale are cousins. It must have made for interesting family reunions.
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