24Nov1916 – 3Oct1944
Edison Days
Richard Graduated with the Class of June 1943.
Military Service
Rank: Private First Class
Branch: United States Marine Corps
Unit: C Company – 8th Amphibious Tractor Battalion – Fleet Marine Force
Richard was inducted into the Marine Corps on 24Nov1944, his 18th Birthday. He had tried to join earlier, but his mother would not sign the papers.
He attended Marine boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in California. After basic training he attended school to learn how to drive an amphibious tractor. Used by the Marine Corps, amphibious tractors transported men and materials between ship to shore in the Pacific islands. The tracks on the vehicle both propelled them through the water and allowed them to crawl over coral and onto the beach. After completion of that training Richard was assigned to the 8th Amphibious Tractor Battalion.
The 8th Battalion continued training until they shipped out to the Pacific in July 1944. Arriving at Pavuvu Island on August 20, the battalion began preparing for the invasion of Peleliu.
After days of naval and aerial bombardment to soften the Japanese defenses, the invasion of Peleliu began on 15 Sep1944. The U.S. expected that the island would be secured within a matter of days. The combination of rugged terrain, fortified positions, and determined Japanese resistance extended the fighting by weeks.
On 3Oct1944 Richard and 3 other Marines volunteered to bring a wounded man off the front lines. They got some distance forward before Japanese grenade fire forced them to take cover and abandon the evacuation. On the way back, two men who looked like Marines approached. The party challenged them for the password. Instead of answering, one of the Japanese threw a grenade into the group. Richard threw himself on the grenade and was killed instantly.
Richard was buried at a temporary military cemetery on Peleliu.
A memorial service was held in his honor on October 29.
Several months after his death, Richard’s family was informed that he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on Peleliu.
The Medal of Honor is the highest decoration the United States awards for military valor. It is given for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty, in action against an enemy of the United States.
Only 473 Medals of Honor were awarded in World War 2. Of those, only 10 were awarded to Minnesota men.
Medal of Honor Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 8th Amphibious Tractor Battalion, Fleet Marine Force, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, on 3 October 1944. Unhesitatingly volunteering for the extremely hazardous mission of evacuating a wounded comrade from the front lines, Pfc. Kraus and 3 companions courageously made their way forward and successfully penetrated the lines for some distance before the enemy opened with an intense, devastating barrage of hand grenades which forced the stretcher party to take cover and subsequently abandon the mission. While returning to the rear, they observed 2 men approaching who appeared to be marines and immediately demanded the password. When, instead of answering, 1 of the 2 Japanese threw a hand grenade into the midst of the group, Pfc. Kraus heroically flung himself upon the grenade and, covering it with his body, absorbed the full impact of the explosion and was instantly killed. By his prompt action and great personal valor in the face of almost certain death, he saved the lives of his 3 companions, and his loyal spirit of self-sacrifice reflects the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his comrades.
Richard’s mother accepted the Medal of Honor on 2August1945.
On 29Aug1945 a memorial service was held at Windom Park in Northeast Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Marine Corps presented Richard’s mother with an American flag.
In 1948 Richard’s parents chose to have his remains returned to Minnesota for reburial.
Reburial services were held for Richard on 8Nov1948.
Richard is buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Postscript
Several honors and accolades are associated with Richard and his Medal of Honor. These include:
The USS Richard E Kraus
The United States Navy Gearing-class destroyer USS Richard E. Kraus (DD-849), laid down in 1945, commissioned May 23, 1946, and in service until 1976 was named after Richard.
The Assault Amphibian Schools Battalion at Camp Pendleton, California is named for Richard. As is one of the main streets on the base.
Kraus-Hartig VFW Post 6587 in Spring Lake Park, Minnesota is named for Richard and another soldier.
Krause Avenue at Fort Snelling National Cemetery is named for Richard.
The Star Tribune newspaper did a feature on Richard to mark the 20th anniversary of his death.
Richard is 1 of 2 students (Rose Puchalla) from Minneapolis Edison High School to be honored with an individual plaque in the school.
