b. 25/11/1918 Syracuse, New York. d. 16/06/1944 Saipan, Mariana Islands.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 16/06/1944 Saipan, Mariana Islands.
Robert H McCard MOH
Robert Howard McCard, born at Syracuse, New York, November 25, 1918, enlisted in the Marine Corps December 18, 1939. He was subsequently assigned to Parris Island, South Carolina; Norfolk Navy Yard; USS Tuscaloosa (CA-37), New York Navy Yard; U.S. Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, R.I.; and Central Recruiting Division, Chicago, Illinois. Shortly after the United States declared war against Japan in 1941, McCard was assigned to the Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois; then the Training Center, Quantico, Virginia; Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; and Camp Pendleton, California. McCard served in the field from January 31, 1944, until he was killed in action at Saipan on June 16, 1944. His posthumous Medal of Honor was presented to his widow, Lizette, on April 10, 1945 in Centralia, Illinois, from Rear Admiral Arthur S Carpender, Commandant of the 9th Naval District.
MOH CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as platoon sergeant of Company A, 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division, during the battle for enemy Japanese-held Saipan, Marianas Islands on 16 June 1944. Cut off from the other units of his platoon when his tank was put out of action by a battery of enemy 77-mm guns, G/Sgt. McCard carried on resolutely, bringing all the tank’s weapons to bear on the enemy, until the severity of the hostile fire caused him to order his crew out of the escape hatch while he courageously exposed himself to enemy guns by hurling hand grenades in order to cover the evacuation of his men. Seriously wounded during this action and with his supply of grenades exhausted, G/Sgt. McCard then dismantled one of the tank’s machine guns and faced the Japanese for the second time to deliver vigorous fire into their positions, destroying 16 of the enemy but sacrificing himself to insure the safety of his crew. His valiant fighting spirit and supreme loyalty in the face of almost certain death reflect the highest credit upon G/Sgt. McCard and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
BURIAL LOCATION: NATIONAL MEMORIAL CEMETERY OF THE PACIFIC, HONOLULU, HAWAII.
SECTION B, SITE 1024.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
