Richard “Rick” Sorenson
“Rick” was born August 28, 1924, in Anoka and spent his childhood there. He attended High School and in December, 1942 of his junior year, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. Leaving in January, he spent 1943 in training at the San Diego Marine Corps Recruit Depot. Loaded onto a troop transport January 13, 1944, he was shipped out for battles in the Pacific. On February 1, 1944, he landed on the beach of Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Ralik chain, Marshall Islands as part of the first assault wave of landing team 3.
The following morning, February 2, Pvt Sorenson, in an isolated, forward position with his .30 caliber machine gun crew, smothered a live grenade with his body that had landed near him. Blown into the air, he was seriously injured but no one else was wounded. Treated immediately by pharmacist’s mate 2nd class “Doc” James V. Kirby, he was evacuated later in the day to a transport ship where surgeons removed 11 bits of the grenade from his arms, torso, and legs; transfused him with 5 pints of blood.
He was transported to Hawaii for six major surgeries and recovered and on crutches on May 21, he was shipped off to Seattle Naval Hospital where he was convalesced and was visited and told he would be recommended for the Medal of Honor.
Medal ceremony was held July 19,1944 at the Seattle Naval Hospital. “The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to PRIVATE RICHARD K. SORENSON…”, the second living enlisted marine in WWII to wear the Medal.
Rick was “Welcomed Home” in Anoka and Minneapolis, August 9, 1944. He was promoted to Cpl. September 1, 1944, and assigned to recruiting, quickly promoted to Sgt. October 1, 1944.and put on duty to sell War Bonds. Rick returned home to Anoka March 1, 1946, and finished his high school requirements, received a GED, and started work as a contact representative at the VA office in Mankato.
He enrolled at St John’s University, Collegeville in 1948 to study business and met his future wife, Mildred (Milli) Snow, a St. Paul girl on a blind date. They married in 1949 and bought a lot on Silver Lane in St Anthony Village and built their home step by step, living in the basement while the house went up. Their first son Robert was born June 14, 1950. The Korean War commenced 11 days later, June 25, 1950. Sergeant Rick Sorenson was called back to active duty on November 17, 1950 and stationed at the Twin Cities Marine Corps Recruiting Station.
Rick and Milli continued to live and raise their 5 children in their home on Silver Lake opposite the Salvation Army Fresh Air Camp and just north of the farmer’s field that was the site of the construction of Apache Plaza in the 1960s. Rick worked as an insurance agent and was active in the local community. He was an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Minneapolis Jaycees and was elected to the St. Anthony city council in 1964.
In 1965, on the 20th anniversary of Rick’s return, home, the city of Anoka dedicated a local park with plaque reading “RICK SORENSON PARK NAMED IN HONOR OF RICHARD K SORENSON, AN ANOKA MARINE WHO WAS AWARDED THE UNITED STATES CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR DURING WORLD WAR II. RICK PLAYED HERE AS A BOY.” This is only one of many tributes received by Rick over the years.
Rick and his family moved to West Lake Village, California in 1967. Son Robert “Bob” returned to the Twin Cities after finishing High School in California and now lives in St. Anthony Village.
Rick passed away October 9. 2004 and is buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. His name is inscribed on the Medal of Honor Monument and has a plaque at the Medal of Honor Circle. One of the seven cemetery avenues is named Sorenson Drive in his honor.