The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Robert T. Hanifin, Jr. (MCSN: 0-48995), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as the Director of the Twelfth Marine Corps District from 1 September 1971 to 30 June 1973. During that critical period in which the nation made transition from compulsory military service to an all-volunteer armed force, Colonel Hanifin skillfully and imaginatively managed the recruiting and reserve establishments of the 10 western states, successfully meeting or exceeding all goals established for his District. Assigned a critical mission of personnel procurement within a sometimes dubious population, he encouraged, inspired, and directed his subordinates to proudly and aggressively display their Marine Corps ideals of patriotism, loyalty, and citizenship. His direction and dedication were not only effective in winning public support for the District’s mission, but also increased each individual Marine’s pride in himself and in his Corps. Colonel Hanifin prudently, yet inventively, organized the assets allotted him for all-volunteer recruiting. He located new stations and moved recruiters for the greatest possible efficiency. He changed basic techniques, extended each recruiter’s area of communication, and he consolidated all the District’s efforts toward the successful procurement of personnel for the regular and reserve Marine Corps. His innovations, leadership, and managerial skills brought personnel procurement within the District to a level of success it had not attained even under the stimulation of compulsory military service. Further, he strengthened the communities of the District through an active program of Marine Corps involvement and domestic action. Superior performance of duties as typified above was the hallmark of Colonel Hanifin’s career in accomplishing broad and diverse tasks in both combat and other assignments and highlighted the culmination of more than 29 years of honorable and dedicated Marine Corps service. By his outstanding direction of all Marine Corps affairs within the Twelfth Marine Corps District, Colonel Hanifin upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
1st MarinesDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMFAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel Robert T. Hanifin, Jr. (MCSN: 0-48995), United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving as Commanding Officer, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations in the Republic of Vietnam in 1966.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
1st MarinesDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMFAction Date:
February 27, 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Robert T. Hanifin, Jr. (MCSN: 0-48995), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. After receiving a request for reinforcements from the Senior United States Advisor, Thua Thien Sector at dusk on 27 February 1966, Lieutenant Colonel Hanifin responded with swift and effective action. Employing keen judgment and his vast professional background, he executed an extremely complicated and precise helicopter operation which placed his Command in the assigned landing zone just before midnight that same evening. Leading his forces southward to close with the enemy the next morning, Lieutenant Colonel Hanifin and his forces located a Viet Cong battalion strongly fortified in well camouflaged positions. Although advance elements were receiving accurate, integrated and mutually supporting fire from enemy small arms, automatic weapons, recoilless rifles and mortars, Lieutenant Colonel Hanifin fearlessly moved to forward units to obtain a comprehensive view of the enemy situation and develop a plan of attack. Ordering his Battalion forward, he continued to disregard his own safety as he advanced to a hazardous position from which he could personally observe and direct the battle as it developed. At the height of the engagement, he and his command group were repeatedly under enemy attack at close range. His presence on the battlefield, demonstrating skill and daring, served to inspire and motivate his men as they pursued the attack. His aggressive leadership contributed in large measure to the success of the engagement, in which one hundred and twenty-two Viet Cong were killed and sixty-nine weapons were captured. By his extraordinary professional ability, brilliant guidance under the most adverse combat conditions and selfless dedication to duty throughout, Lieutenant Colonel Hanifin upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.