Gerald Max Rich was born on June 10, 1922, in Smithfield, Cache County, Utah. He was the son of John Pond "Jack" Rich and Samantha Ann Rich Rich.

He served in Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division as a Corporal during World War II. Rich led his squad up a steep hill towards Japanese pillbox dugouts on the crest. The Nippon laid down intensive rifle, machine gun fire, mortar, and a hand grenade barrage on the whole platoon. One grenade rolled toward him and his squad. Rich saw that it would go between them and feared that his men would not see it, yelling a warning. He believed that they couldn't hear his voice, so he moved between them and the grenade. When only three feet away from him, the hand grenade exploded, peppering Corporal Rich as if he had been hit by buckshot. He suffered multiple wounds in his left, leg, back, and right shoulder. None of his men was injured.

Despite his injuries, he refused to be evacuated and remained with his squad directing their fire until Lieutenant Heflin ordered him to the rear and saw to it that he received first aid. Stretcher-bearers evacuated him to an aid station and field hospital. He died from his wounds received in battle on July 21, 1944, during the Battle for Guam.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com