The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Richard Rothwell (MCSN: 0-5302), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of a Landing Team of the Second Battalion, Twenty-Fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in actions against the enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 19 February to 16 March 1945. With only two waves dispatched to the beach on 19 February, Lieutenant Colonel Rothwell received order to pass his landing tam through an assault unit that had received heavy casualties, thereby insuring contact with elements on the flanks in order to establish firmly the initial beachhead for the night. Landing at 1630 in the face of intense hostile fire, he organized his team and issued the necessary orders for the relief of the badly depleted assault landing team by 1830, with a minimum of casualties to his own unit. Expeditiously effecting the relief, he aided in the capture of the airfield the following day and, throughout the following days of the operation, directed his landing team in the ultimate capture of Hill 382, although the team was seriously depleted by many casualties. In addition, he visited observation posts which were known to be registration points for enemy mortars and artillery and was under fire in the front lines on numerous occasions. His professional ability, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
24th MarinesDivision:
4th Marine DivisionAction Date:
June 15 – August 1, 1944
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Richard Rothwell (MCSN: 0-5302), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion, Twenty-Fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan and Tinian, Mariana Islands, from 15 June to 1 August 1944. Inculcating in his troops his own indomitable fighting spirit, Lieutenant Colonel Rothwell fearlessly exposed himself to bitter enemy fire during numerous reconnaissances to the front lines and, despite physical exhaustion, diligently led his battalion in clearing by-passed pockets of resistance during the last days of the campaign on Marpi Point where large groups of innocent civilians were intermingled with Japanese military forces. With a minimum of casualties among his own men, Lieutenant Colonel Rothwell succeeded in killing all resisting Japanese or in forcing their surrender and, at the same time, successfully evacuated the civilians who would otherwise have been killed by the enemy. By his courageous initiative, aggressiveness and vigilance, Lieutenant Colonel Rothwell contributed materially to the success of our operations against this heavily fortified Japanese stronghold, and his devotion to duty throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Colonel Rothwell is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)