Anoka in Anoka County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Anoka Veterans Memorial

In memory of those from Anoka who served

Photographed By McGhiever, June 4, 2023

1. Anoka Veterans Memorial Marker

Inscription.

Medal of Honor
Awarded to
Richard Keith Sorenson
Rank and Organization: Private US Marine Corps Reserve, 4th Marine Division
Place and Date: Namur Island, Kwajalein Attol [sic], Marshall Islands, 1-2 February 1944
Entered Service At: Minnesota Born: 26 August 1924, Anoka Minnesota
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with an assault battalion attached to the 4th Marine Division during the battle of Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Island, on 1-2 February 1944. Putting up a brave defense against a particularly violent counterattack by the enemy during invasion operations, Pvt. Sorenson and 5 other Marines occupying a shellhole were endangered by a Japanese grenade thrown into their midst. Unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own safety, Pvt. Sorenson hurled himself upon the deadly weapon, heroically taking the full impact of the explosion. As a result of his gallant action, he was severely wounded, but the lives of his comrades were saved. His great personal valor and exceptional spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of almost certain death were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

Above and Beyond
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tribute to those who have served in the uniform of the United States Military Services was commissioned by the Anoka American Legion Post 102. It is a symbol of the American Servicemen's spirit and will to go above and beyond the call of duty to protect this Country's freedoms and to lay their lives on the line for their fellow man.

Sculptor - Rodger M. Brodin
Dedicated - Memorial Day, May 27, 1991
Re-Dedicated - Memorial Day, May 27, 2019

Erected 1991.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, World II.

Location. 45° 12.036′ N, 93° 23.404′ W. Marker is in Anoka, Minnesota, in Anoka County. Memorial is on 2nd Avenue north of Van Buren Street, on the left when traveling north. The memorial is in Riverfront Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2201 2nd Avenue, Anoka MN 55303, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Log Stamps (a few steps from this marker); Lumberjack Vocabulary (within shouting distance of this marker); Freeburg Companies (within shouting distance of this marker); Washburn Saw Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Rum River Dam (about 400 feet away, measured in

Richard Keith Sorenson marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By McGhiever, June 4, 2023

2. Richard Keith Sorenson marker

a direct line); Washburn Saw Mill Chimney / Pease Printery (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Rum River Dam (about 600 feet away); Lincoln Flour Mill (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anoka.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on Richard K. Sorenson. (Submitted on June 20, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.)

Above and Beyond marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By McGhiever, June 4, 2023

3. Above and Beyond marker

Markers at the Anoka Veterans Memorial in Riverside Memorial Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By McGhiever, June 4, 2023

4. Markers at the Anoka Veterans Memorial in Riverside Memorial Park

Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 42 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 20, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.