World War II Honoree
Killed In Action
Robert Grant Gierhart
Branch of Service
U.S. Marine Corps
Hometown
Penrose, Colorado
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
Rank: Private First Class. He was inducted into the United States Marine Corps January 13, 1943 at Denver, Colorado. Following his Basic Military Training at the Marine Corps Base in San Diego, California and infantry training at Camp Pendleton Oceanside, California. And along with any additional training; he was deployed to the Northwestern Pacific Theater of Operations. He served in Company India as a Rifleman, assigned to the Third Battalion, Twenty Third Marines and an element of the Fourth Marine Division. His division participated in the amphibious assault, and occupation of Saipan Island. Thursday, June 15, 1944 he was mortally, during offensive operations against the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces. Personnel from a Graves Registration Company buried him in the Fourth Marine Division Saipan Battlefield cemetery. In the post-war era, this Marines’ family requested that he be buried with Military Honors at: Lakeside Cemetery, with interment June 14, 1948 Location: Canon City, Colorado. In his Memory, this American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously for his Heroism, and ultimate sacrifice. He served his Country with Pride and Honor.