Serial #: 264583
Killed in Action November 21, 1943
"The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Robert H. Agnew, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Headquarters Company, Headquarters Battalion, Second Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces at Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, 20 and 21 November 1943. Acting as stretcher bearer on a section of the beach where heavy casualties among hospital corpsmen made the lack of trained first aid men acute, Private First Class Agnew voluntarily advanced under intense enemy machinegun and rifle fire to front line positions in order to render first aid to his wounded comrades. Returning repeatedly to the line of action to minister to the injured and evacuate several of them to safety, Private First Class Agnew carried on his heroic mission until fatally wounded on the second day of the attack. His great personal valor and exceptional spirit of self-sacrifice on behalf of his comrades were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."
Source: General Orders: Commander in Chief, Pacific: Serial 2013 (May 2, 1944) Action Date: November 20 - 21, 1943
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