Military Service Awards

My father served in the Marine Corps Reserves during World War II.  In December 1942 he was assigned to Marine Air Base Squadron One and deployed to the Pacific Theater of Operations where he participated in two important military campaigns:

• Capture and Defense of Guadalcanal (10 Aug 1942 - 9 Feb 1943)
• Consolidation of Southern Solomons (8 Feb - 20 Jun 1943)

The units he was attached to earned two Presidential Unit Citations for outstanding performance in action against an armed enemy.  In addition, he earned the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for individual heroism displayed during an emergency at Henderson Field on Guadalcanal Island on March 24, 1943.

Navy and Marine Corps Medal

Awarded to Sergeant Robert L. Dalziel

On 3 July 1943

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Sergeant Robert L. Dalziel, United States Marine Corps Reserves, for service as set forth in the following citation:  

“For heroic conduct as a member of Marine Air Base Squadron ONE during an aircraft accident at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, March 24, 1943.  Witnessing a take-off crash of a Royal New Zealand Air Force plane, Sergeant Dalziel unhesitatingly rushed onto the field and with complete disregard for his own personal safety attempted to extinguish a raging fire in the damaged aircraft.  Cognizant of the impending hazard of exploding depth charges and bombs carried in the flaming plane, he continued his efforts until he was ordered away by his commanding officer but, before his could reach adequate cover the explosion occurred and he was struck in the shoulder by a piece of shrapnel, causing painful wounds necessitating his evacuation.  Sergeant Dalziel’s courageous zeal throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

For the President,

Frank Knox

Secretary of the Navy