World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Robert Leigh 'Bob' Critzer
Branch of Service
U.S. Marine Corps
Hometown
Clearwater, Kansas
Honored By
Robert S. Cox
ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE ON AUGUST 29, 1942. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER WITH THE 2ND BATTALION, 8TH MARINE REGIMENT, 2ND MARINE ('THE SILENT SECOND') DIVISION DURING THE WAR. THE 2ND MARINE DIVISION PARTICIPATED IN THE FOLLOWING OPERATIONS AND ENGAGEMENTS: CAPTURE AND DEFENSE OF GUADALCANAL (JANUARY 4-FEBRUARY 8, 1943), GILBERT ISLANDS OPERATION (TARAWA)(NOVEMBER 20-DECEMBER 4, 1943), MARIANA ISLANDS OPERATION (CAPTURE AND OCCUPATION OF SAIPAN)(JUNE 15-JULY 24, 1944), CAPTURE AND OCCUPATION OF TINIAN (JULY 24-AUGUST 10, 1944), AND ASSAULT AND OCCUPATION OF OKINAWA GUNTO (DIVISION FLOATING RESERVE)(APRIL 1-10, 1945) AND THE 8TH MARINE REGIMENT (FLOATING RESERVE) ALSO FROM JUNE 1-30, 1945). AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART FOR WOUNDS RECEIVED IN COMBAT, COMBAT ACTION RIBBON, NAVY PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND NAVY OCCUPATION SERVICE MEDAL WITH ‘ASIA’ CLASP (OKINAWA & JAPAN-SEPTEMBER, 1945). THE DIVISION WAS AWARDED THE NAVY PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION (PUC) FOR ACTIONS AT TARAWA ATOLL IN THE GILBERT ISLANDS, IN THE WEST CENTRAL PACIFIC OCEAN AREA, FROM NOVEMBER 20-24, 1943. HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON JANUARY 7, 1946, WITH THE RANK OF GUNNERY SERGEANT (E-6) AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN.