Richard Fagan (officer)

Richard Fagan (September 8, 1902 - November 4, 1973) was a highly decorated United States Marine Corps lieutenant colonel. He was awarded the Navy Cross during the battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.
Early life and career
Richard Fagan was born on September 8, 1902, in El Paso, Texas. Fagan commissioned in the Marine Corps as a second lieutenant and served on board the from 1925 to 1927. He later saw combat during deployments to Nicaragua and China.
World War II
Paramarines
Shortly after the United States entered World War II, Fagan underwent Paramarine training. In May 1943, he was given command of the 1st Parachute Battalion.
On November 23, 1943, the 1st Parachute Battalion arrived at Bougainville to take part in operations there. Fagan then led his battalion on a raid at Koiari at 04:00 hours on November 29, with the intent to disrupt Japanese communications and artillery. While Fagan landed ashore with his battalion at their assigned objective, the headquarters company and an accompanying Marine Raider company landed about 1,000 yards to the east. Fagan advanced his Marines 180 yards inland, overrunning a lightly defended Japanese supply dump. He then set up a perimeter as he was concerned about the separation of his unit from the Raiders.
As the sun rose, the Japanese began to pour continuous machine gun, rifle, and mortar fire on the Marines. The Marines called in artillery support and also fought off the occasional enemy banzai charge. While the Marine Raider and headquarters company were able to fight their way back to Fagan's battalion by mid-morning, the battalion radio set malfunctioned. Fagan was able to send messages to I Marine Amphibious Corps but was unable to receive them. The Raider company also had a radio and were communicating with I MAC, unbeknownst to Fagan.
On February 24, 3/26 was pinned down by enemy fire after advancing 500 yards. Fagan personally moved to the front lines under heavy fire, repositioned his Marines and moved his reserves to fill in a gap on the right flank. He then retrieved a company from an adjacent battalion to further reinforce his battalion's position. Fagan remained on the front lines until his unit’s position was secured and the gap on the right flank was closed. Fagan continued to lead 3/26 until the end of the battle in March 1945.
Later life
Fagan retired from the Marines as a lieutenant colonel in 1946. In 1947, he was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions during the battle of Iwo Jima.<ref name":4" /><ref name":1" />
Richard Fagan died on November 4, 1973, in Dallas, Texas. He was buried in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.<ref name=":0" />

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