The Medal of Honor is the highest U.S. military decoration, awarded by Congress to a member of the armed forces for gallantry and bravery in combat at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. James Dennis LaBelle, a Private First Class in the U.S. Marine Corps attached to the 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, received it for his actions against Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands on 8 March 1945, when he dived on a grenade in his foxhole and gave his life to protect two fellow marines. Richard Keith Sorenson, a Private in the U.S. Marine Corps serving with an assault battalion attached to the 4th Marine Division during the battle of Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, on 1-2 February 1944, received it after throwing himself onto a grenade during a violent enemy counterattack, suffering severe wounds and saving the lives of five other marines. Richard Edward Kraus, a Private First Class in the U.S. Marine Corps serving with the 8th Amphibious Tractor Battalion, Fleet Marine Force, in action on Peleliu, Palau Islands, on 5 October 1944, received it after volunteering to evacuate a wounded comrade and then sacrificing his life by falling on a grenade, saving three companions.