Carlton R . Rouh Captain Carlton Robert Rouh ( May 11 , 1919 – December 8 , 1977 ) was a United States Marine who received the Medal of Honor for gallantry in risking his life to save the lives of two fellow Marines on Peleliu Island on September 15 , 1944 . First Lieutenant Rouh threw his body between his fellow Marines and an exploding grenade . During World War II , 27 Marines similarly used their bodies to cover grenades in order to save the lives of others . Four of these brave Marines survived — including Rouh and fellow Medal of Honor recipients Richard E . Bush , Richard K . Sorenson , and Jacklyn H . Lucas Rouh had earlier earned a field commission and been awarded the Silver Star medal of gallantry during the Battle of Guadalcanal for action on October 9 , 1942 . Medal of Honor action . First Lieutenant Rouh had been moving his mortar platoon near the top of a small coral ridge in preparation for digging in for the night , according to a field dispatch from SSgt James F . Moser , Jr . , a Marine Corps Combat Correspondent . 1stLt Rouh decided to inspect an apparently empty Japanese dugout before permitting his men to use it . A few minutes before , a flame - throwing squad had blasted fire into the position . Near the entrance , two of the enemy lay dead . 1stLt Rouh could hear nothing . He stepped over the pair , and into the dark interior , his carbine ready . Creeping along the wall , he could see stores of supplies . He saw no life . Suddenly a shot rang out , hitting the lieutenant in the left side . He stumbled back to his men outside . Several Japanese followed , throwing grenades . Fragments filled the air . One grenade landed close to the lieutenant and two of his men . There was no escape , for the Japanese had held it too long to be thrown back . Despite his weakened condition , 1stLt Rouh shoved his two comrades to the ground to save them from flying fragments . He dropped his carbine and dove for the grenade . He was down on his elbows and one knee when the grenade exploded . His abdomen and chest caught the blast , and he sank to the ground . None of his men were hit . Still conscious , 1stLt Rouh could half hear and see the rest of the fight . Tommy gun rounds rang out , killing the remaining Japanese survivors . One of his men stood over him . Soon it was all over — and his Marines had their cover for the night . First Lieutenant Rouh ' s body was pock - marked by the grenade blast . One steel fragment had passed through his left lung and lodged near his heart . Other fragments sprayed his chest , left side and left arm . Still under enemy artillery and mortar fire , he was given first aid by a passing doctor , and was carried back to a casualty evacuation point . " That was a miserable trip back , " he said . " I thought they would get all the men with me . But somehow we made it . " Marine Corps career . Carlton Rouh enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a private one month after Pearl Harbor , and fought in three Pacific campaigns . At Guadalcanal , then a private , he earned the Silver Star Medal " for carrying wounded out under fire until wounded himself . " Moreover , " for outstanding leadership and initiative in combat " , he was given a field commission as a second lieutenant while at a rest camp in Australia . He commanded a machine gun platoon during the New Britain campaign . He had been promoted to the rank of first lieutenant prior to his honored actions on Peleliu . Following his evacuation from Peleliu , he was hospitalized , and later honorably retired from active duty . He was promoted to captain in the Reserves upon his retirement . He died in December 1977 in Lindenwold , New Jersey . Medal of Honor citation . The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to FIRST LIEUTENANT CARLTON R . ROUH UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE for service as set forth in the following CITATION : For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while attached to the First Battalion , Fifth Marines , First Marine Division , during action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu Island , Palau Group , 15 September 1944 . Before permitting his men to use an enemy dugout as a position for an 81 - mm . mortar observation post , First Lieutenant Rouh made a personal reconnaissance of the pillbox and , upon entering , was severely wounded by Japanese rifle fire from within . Emerging form the dugout , he was immediately assisted by two Marines to a less exposed area , but while receiving first aid , was further endangered by an enemy grenade which was thrown into their midst . Quick to act in spite of his weakened condition , he lurched to a crouching position and thrust both men aside , placing his own body between them and the grenade and taking the full blast of the explosion himself . His exceptional spirit of loyalty and self - sacrifice in the face of almost certain death reflects the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Rouh and the United States Naval Service . / S / FRANKLIN D . ROOSEVELT