Robert Dunlap earned the Medal of Honor on Iwo Jima on this day for his heroic leadership of his rifle company. When his company was stopped by Japanese defenses, Dunlap crawled alone across 200 yards of open ground to spot the enemy strong points.

After crawling back to his men, he exposed himself to fire to direct artillery and naval air strikes. His steadfast leadership inspired his men. He was wounded by machine gun fire six days after the battle started and was evacuated. 

From Abingdon, Illinois, Dunlap joined the Marine Corps in May 1942, after finishing college. He fought in Bouganville before being promoted to Captain and taking company command. 

Dunlap survived his wounds and received the Medal of Honor form President Truman on December 18, 1945. He medically retired from the Marine Corps and became a school teacher, before passing in 2000.