History 21 The Podcast - 3.14 Richard Sorenson
On February 2, 1944 Richard Sorenson risked his life above and beyond the call of duty by jumping on a grenade to save the lives of his fellow Marines, and miraculously survived himself. For those actions on July 19, 1944 he received the Medal of Honor. In this episode Richard Sorenson sat down with John Weaver (ACHS Board President at the time) and another WWII veteran R.W. Johnson to discuss growing up in Anoka, his enlistment story, and the events that led up to and after his injuries in the Marshall Islands during WWII.
Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Steve Florman, ACHS Board of Directors.
Sorenson worked with the Veterans Administration for 35 years. He also served on the Board of the United Way and the Boy Scout Council, and was active with the Anoka County Historical Society. Once retired, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and woodworking.
Richard Sorenson
1924—2004
Enlisted December 13, 1942
Private First Class –U.S. Marine Corps
Richard Keith Sorenson was born and grew up in Anoka, the son of Carl and Virginia Sorenson. Student at Franklin Elementary School [left] and Anoka High School. Richard loved fishing and often had ice cream sodas at the local Shadick’s Confectionary.
The morning after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Richard went to the Navy Recruiting office to enlist. At only 17 years old he needed parental permission, which his father refused to give.
In the fall of 1942, now 18, Richard enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. There were many young men enlisting at that time, so Richard was not sworn in until December 13, 1942. Boot camp and advanced combat training were followed with machine gun training for Pfc. Sorenson. He was assigned to a weapons company with heavy machine guns in the Fourth Marine Division.
Private First Class Richard Sorenson landed in the Marshall Islands on February 1, 1944. At nightfall Sorenson and his unit laid low in shell holes incorrectly assuming they were near friendly forces. On February 2, 1944 the 14-15 Marines realized they were nearly surrounded by the enemy and under attack. A grenade landed near Pfc. Sorenson’s gun, and he covered it with his own body before it exploded while the others continued to fight. U.S. forces reached the men and Richard, bleeding heavily on the beach, received last rites. He survived to return home.
On a stopover during his flight home, Sorenson decided to take a train instead of flying the rest of the way, and accidentally missed a Marine Corps Honor Guard that was waiting for him in Chicago. In Minneapolis, he was greeted by his family and a large crowd. He later attended parades in his honor in both Minneapolis and Anoka.
Richard visited many old haunts, followed by a photographer, and received many gifts including a fishing pole and tackle by the City.
Medal of Honor
The highest U.S. military decoration awarded by Congress to a member of the armed forces for gallantry and bravery in combat at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.
The first Medals of Honor were award for actions during the Civil War, though the requirements for earning the Medal are quite different from today. Changes came in 1897 when it was established that the Medal of Honor could only be awarded for "gallantry and intrepidity" above and beyond that of one's fellow soldiers. Applications for the Medal required that a submission be made by a person other than the veteran who had performed the heroic deed and required testimony, under oath, of one or more eyewitnesses to the heroic deed.
3,498 Americans have been awarded the Medal of Honor since its inception in 1863.
46 Minnesota men earned the Medal of Honor for their actions during conflicts from the Civil War to Vietnam.
10 for actions during World War II
3 of those from Anoka County
There are 76 living recipients of the Medal of Honor (as of 2016)
“It was closest to me, so I took it. And they kept fighting.” Richard Sorenson
On the Vault
Full conversation with Rick Sorenson, R.W. Johnson with interviewer John Weaver.
Anoka County Library Minute
Further Reading:
Medal of Honor recipients
There is no higher accolade in the military than the Medal of Honor. It is awarded by the President of the United States, on behalf of Congress. Of the millions of people who have served in the three branches of the military, only about 3500 men (and one woman) have received the award, making this episode’s subject part of an elite group. You can learn more about the this and other military honors for valor at the official U.S. Department of Defense website. Every Monday on the site, a new service member recipient is highlighted. The site also has a quiz to test your knowledge. Listed below are some library materials about our military’s heroes.
Adult nonfiction books:
Immortal Valor: the black Medal of Honor winners of World War II by Robert Child (940.5403 CHI)
DVD:
The Medal of Honor: extraordinary valor by Kevin Hershberger (DVD355.1342 MED)