COLONEL ROBERT M. HANNA (then Second Lieutenant), United States Marine Corps Reserve. For extraordinary heroism while serving with the First Defense Battalion during the enemy Japanese landings on Wake Island, 23 December 1941. Commanding beach defenses on the island’s south shore where the enemy’s main landings were launched under cover of darkness, Second Lieutenant Hanna personally operated a three-inch gun in a determined attempt to repulse a beached Japanese troop-carrying destroyer and, countering a sudden attack by three members of a hostile patrol infiltrating his position, killed all three with his pistol, and then promptly resuming control of his gun, continued to deliver a steady stream of shells into the menacing warship and succeeded in firing and in ultimately destroying the enemy vessel. Throughout the remainder of the night Second Lieutenant Hanna and two men held out unaided against the invading force until reinforced by members of Marine Fighting Squadron TWO ELEVEN. When a hostile sniper gained a point of vantage controlling the post and fired into the group, wounding the senior officer present, Second Lieutenant Hanna immediately located and killed the enemy rifleman, thereby preventing the probable annihilation of the small post garrison. Instantly assuming command of the position, he gallantly led his outnumbered men in fighting off repeated Japanese attacks until informed by higher authority that the island had been surrendered. By his inspiring leadership, indomitable spirit and steadfast devotion to duty under fire, Second Lieutenant Hanna rendered valiant service in the gallant defense of Wake Island, and his conduct throughout sustained and enhanced the highest tradition of the United States Naval Service.

Colonel Hanna joined the Legion of Valor in 2000 as a life member and resided in Florida.