Medal of Honor: Robert Murray Hanson – World War II – Bougainville & New Britain – November 1943 / January 1944

Name: Robert Murray Hanson
Rank: First Lieutenant
Organization: U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
Unit: Marine Fighting Squadron 215 (VMF-215)
Place: Bougainville Island and New Britain Island, Solomon Islands Campaign
Accredited To: Massachusetts
Born: 4 February 1920, Lucknow, India

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Summary of Action

First Lieutenant Robert Murray Hanson distinguished himself as a Marine fighter pilot during critical aerial operations in the Solomon Islands and New Britain campaigns. On 1 November 1943, while flying combat air patrol in support of the amphibious landings at Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville Island, he encountered six Japanese torpedo bombers threatening the landing force below.

Without hesitation and despite being heavily outnumbered, Lieutenant Hanson launched a determined attack. Pressing home repeated passes through intense defensive fire, he forced the enemy formation to jettison their torpedoes and destroyed one aircraft outright, breaking up the attack and protecting the vulnerable invasion force.

On 24 January 1944, while flying high cover over Simpson Harbor, New Britain Island, Lieutenant Hanson became separated from his division deep in enemy-controlled airspace. Alone and unsupported, he encountered a large group of Japanese fighters maneuvering to attack American bombers. Refusing to disengage, he attacked single-handedly, striking with speed and precision. In a fierce running battle, he shot down four enemy Zeroes and probably destroyed a fifth, decisively disrupting the enemy interception.

Throughout these engagements, Lieutenant Hanson demonstrated exceptional mastery of aerial combat, combining superb aircraft handling with aggressive tactical judgment. Over the course of his combat service in this theater, he accounted for a total of 25 confirmed enemy aircraft destroyed, making him one of the Marine Corps’ leading aces of the war.

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Medal of Honor Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life and above and beyond the call of duty as fighter pilot attached to Marine Fighting Squadron 215 in action against enemy Japanese forces at Bougainville Island, 1 November 1943; and New Britain Island, 24 January 1944. Undeterred by fierce opposition, and fearless in the face of overwhelming odds, 1st Lt. Hanson fought the Japanese boldly and with daring aggressiveness.

On 1 November, while flying cover for our landing operations at Empress Augusta Bay, he dauntlessly attacked six enemy torpedo bombers, forcing them to jettison their bombs and destroying one Japanese plane during the action. Cut off from his division while deep in enemy territory during a high cover flight over Simpson Harbor on 24 January, 1st Lt. Hanson waged a lone and gallant battle against hostile interceptors as they were orbiting to attack our bombers and, striking with devastating fury, brought down four Zeroes and probably a fifth.

Handling his plane superbly in both pursuit and attack measures, he was a master of individual air combat, accounting for a total of 25 Japanese aircraft in this theater of war. His great personal valor and invincible fighting spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.