Updated: 12 June, 2006
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Bush awards posthumous Navy Cross President Bush has awarded the Navy Cross posthumously to Alfonso Chavarrias for heroic action as a Navy gunners mate on the aircraft carrier Intrepid during a key World War II battle off the Philippines. Petty officer 3rd Class, Chavarrias was gun captain of a 20mm anti-aircraft gun on the Intrepid when a Japanese plane dove at the aircraft carrier during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. May 02
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Captain Edward L. Beach has died aged 84 Submariner and author who commanded the nuclear-powered Triton on the first submerged circumnavigation of the globe. At the end of the voyage Beach was decorated with the Legion of Merit by a delighted President Eisenhower. Among his decorations for his war services were the Navy Cross and the Silver Star. More Dec 02 |
Retired Navy Captain Awarded Navy Cross Retired Navy Capt. Charles W. Rush Jr.., a 20-year veteran of the submarine service, was awarded the Navy Cross 59 years after his heroic efforts during a World War II combat patrol aboard USS Billfish (SS 286), in a ceremony held April 5 at the U.S. Naval Academy's Memorial Hall More Apr 02
Vietnam vet overdue for Medal of Honor Marine corporal Richard Gresko served his country in Vietnam, his body was shattered by the full force of an exploding North Vietnamese hand grenade. Totally ignoring the threat to his own life, Gresko had flung his body onto the grenade to protect four other members of his unit. For his action in diving onto the enemy grenade, Gresko was eventually awarded the Navy Cross, the second highest military decoration for valor a Marine serving in combat can receive. Yet despite this rare and prestigious award, there are many of us who feel he deserved and should have been given the nation’s top tribute, the Medal of Honor. Montgomery County Record, PA - 6 Jul 2003
Navy Cross recipient remembers sinking of Yamato As his Helldiver dive bomber burst straight down out of the clouds at 290 knots, 21-year-old pilot Lt. j.g. Ed Sieber saw the target: Japan's super-battleship Yamato, the largest, most powerful warship ever built. Sieber was officially credited with two bomb hits on the Yamato and received the Navy Cross for his part in helping sink the huge ship that day. The Ledger 28 Feb 04
Museum creating USS Ware exhibit In late August 2005, the McMinn County Living Heritage Museum will celebrate a new and permanent exhibit designed to honor the destroyer USS Charles R. Ware, the veterans who served on her and the ship’s namesake, Lt. Charles Rollins Ware, the Athens hero who died in the Battle of Midway during World War II. For his gallantry and service Lt. Ware was awarded the Navy Cross, with the following citation: “For extraordinary heroism and courageous devotion to duty while piloting an airplane of a Scouting Squadron in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle of Midway during the period of June 4-6, 1942. Participating in a devastating assault against a Japanese invasion fleet, Lieutenant Ware, with fortitude and resolute devotion to duty, pressed home his attacks in the face of a formidable barrage of anti-aircraft fire and fierce fighter opposition. His gallant perseverance and disregard for his own personal safety were important contributing factors to the success achieved by our forces and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.” McNinn County Online 24 Mar 04
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Pentagon salutes Hispanic WWII vets The Pentagon honored nine Hispanic World War II veterans. Honorees included: Sgt. Raymond P. Alvarado who saved two fellow Soldiers and three British sailors from drowning following a German missile attack that claimed more than 1,100 allied lives. Chief Yeoman Osvaldo Eiaz-Espada who served in the Navy during World War II in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of war. He also served in the Korean War. Pfc. Guy Gabaldon who, as a Los Angeles youth, was adopted by a Japanese-American family and later served in the Marines as a Japanese interpreter in the Pacific. Using language skills, Gabaldon was credited with capturing more than 1,000 Japanese military forces. His military awards include the Navy Cross and the Silver Star. Gabaldon told attendees he was captured only once by a single Japanese individual -- his wife, who captured his heart years after the war. Staff Sgt. Andres Ignacio Gallegos, an airborne trooper, who served as a medic in both the European and Pacific theaters. Pfc. Raul Gonzales who taught English to Spanish-speaking-only Soldiers at Fort Benning, Ga., during the war, and served briefly in the Pacific at the end of the war. Staff Sgt. Pete Jimenez (pictured left) who served with the 29th Infantry Division from the invasion of France on Omaha Beach through the surrender of Germany -- earning five Purple Hearts for wounds along the way. Other awards include a Bronze Star with V device and the French Legion of Honor and Croix de Guerre. Sgt. Jose Lopez served as an infantryman with the 2nd Infantry Division in Europe where his actions lead to a Medal of Honor. His Medal of Honor citation credited Lopez with killing more than 100 enemy soldiers and saving his company from being enveloped in one action. Cpl. Frank Median, an Army Air Corps B-24 tail gunner, survived eight months behind enemy lines after his bomber was shot down in Italy. Median told attendees that was one time he truly appreciated being Hispanic as his skin and hair color allowed him to blend in with the local population. Pfc. Ignacio Servin served as a combat engineer in the Pacific. He was awarded a Silver Star for gallantry for destroying an enemy ammunition dump. Servin told attendees he didn't volunteer for the mission to earn any medals -- he only wanted to prove to his company commander and comrades that Hispanic Soldiers were just as brave as any other Soldier. dcmilitary.com 17 Sep 04 |
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Marine honored by Navy for his bravery in Iraq A 29-year-old Marine from upstate New York received the Navy's second highest award last week for charging into enemy trenches during an ambush in Iraq and continuing his attack after depleting his ammunition. Marine Capt. Brian R. Chontosh, of Rochester, N.Y., received the Navy Cross Medal in a ceremony at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Training Center, Twentynine Palms. The Navy Cross is second only to the Congressional Medal of Honor. redding.com 12 May 04 More usmc.mil May 04 |
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Tuesday Marks Waco War Hero Doris Miller’s 85th Birthday World War II hero Doris Miller was the U.S. Navy Mess Mate who manned a gun on the USS West Virginia during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, downing as many as five enemy planes. Miller was awarded the Navy Cross for his gallantry, although some supporters have continued to work to try to convince the Navy to award Miller the Congressional Medal of Honor. Miller died on Nov. 24, 1943 during the battle of the Gilbert Islands, when his ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Pacific Ocean. kwtx.com Oct 04 |
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MCC honors Lowell WWII veteran for heroism behind enemy lines It was May 2, 1944, five weeks before the D-Day invasion, when Edwin Poitras parachuted behind enemy lines in northern France to gather intelligence and train the French resistance. Poitras was alone. Two men sent to do his job before him had disappeared, and all three of the airplanes that flew Poitras to France were shot down before the night was over. Technically a member of the Navy, Poitras but actually worked for the U.S. Office of Strategic Services, a precursor to the Central Intelligence Agency. He was a spy, and to this day he cannot talk about many of his missions. His records remain sealed in Langley, Va., and will remain so forever as far as he knows. But his heroism that's no secret. The Lowell veteran, now 82, has won the Navy Cross and the United Kingdom's Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, the highest medal the UK can bestow on a noncitizen. Poitras is one of only five Americans ever to receive the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal. He was also nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor, but could not get it since his records could not be unsealed. Poitras, who for years had trouble even getting military benefits because of his sealed records. He was wounded three times, shot once, stabbed with a bayonet, and hurt by a grenade. Each time, he had no proper medical assistance. He never got a Purple Heart because he was never treated by military medical crews. lowellsun.com 8 Nov 04 |
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Cmdr Walton B. Pendleton Receiving the Navy Cross from Admiral Steele USS england DE635 |
Navy Cross Citation - LA POINTE, Alvin S Pte USMC. For extraordinary heroism while serving as a rifleman with Company C, First Battalion, Seventh Marines in Quang Ngai Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 28 March 1966. marzone.com
Navy Cross Citation - Corporal Earl W. Fowler USMC For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Squad Leader with Company C, First Battalion, Seventh Marines in action against insurgent communist forces (Viet Cong) in the Republic of Vietnam on 28 March 1966. marzone.com
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Orleck's Navy Cross "The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY CROSS to LIEUTENANT JOSEPH ORLECK, UNITED STATES NAVY for service, were the words introducing the following citation: For extraordinary heroism in action as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. NAUSET during the amphibious invasion of Italy on September 9, 1943. ussorleck.org |
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Minenam earns Navy Cross Admiral Douglas C. Plate present. Navy Cross to Mineman First Martin in Ceremony at Naval Schools, Mine Warfare, Charleston, SC in 1969 for service in Vietnam. Other medals include: Bronze Star - Combat V, Purple Heart, Navy Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation (2), Good Conduct (3), National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, RVN Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star, RVN Presidential Unit Citation, RVN Meritorious Unit Citation, Vietnam Campaign Medal. triad.rr.com |
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U.S. Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Justin Lehew Navy Cross recipient 1st Sgt. Justin D. Lehew, company first sergeant, Company C, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), recounts the day during Operation Iraqi Freedom when his amtrac unit was engaged in heavy fighting in An Nasiriyah. defendamerica.mil |
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Citations of the 5 Seawolves Who Were Awarded the Navy Cross: Allen E. Weseleskey, 9 March 1968 James R. Walker, 15 September 1968 Lloyd T. Williams Jr., 28 April 1969 Robert E. Baratko, 15 September 1970 Norman B. Stayton, 26 March 1971 seawolf.org |
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Navy Cross Citations - USMC 1st Div 3rd Bn 5th Marines - Vietnam 1966-1971
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Marine Receives Navy Cross Gunnery sergeant Justin D. Lehew has been awarded the Navy Cross for his actions on March 23, 2003. Lehew was a platoon sergeant for Company A, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Task Force Tarawa, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. strategypage.com 31 Aug 04
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13 Recon Marines from the Third Recon Battalion - Navy Cross Citations Corporal
Bryant C. Collins Lance Corporal Norman W. Vancor |
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Navy Cross Citations 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines Mike Coy and H&S Coy |
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Admiral McCain Presents the Navy Cross to Ltjg. Alfred 'Fritz' Decesaro of VB15 ussessex.bravepages.com |
World War II Navy Cross Recipient Visits Pacific Fleet Submariners World War II Navy Cross recipient retired Capt. Charles W. Rush Jr. met with submariners aboard Naval Station Pearl Harbor April 12-15. In November 1943, Rush, 85, of Port Saint Lucie, Fla., and his fellow crew members aboard USS Billfish (SS 286), were inundated with depth charges by the Japanese. Rush, then a lieutenant, is credited with saving Billfish and all hands on board. He directed damage control efforts after the severe depth charge attack incapacitated the ship's captain and all officers senior to Rush. m1-garand.com
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Unites States - Corpsman
Awarded Navy Cross Secretary of the Navy Gordon R.
England, right, presented the Navy Cross to Hospitalman Luis E.
Fonseca. Fonseca, a 23-year-old corpsman, was awarded the Navy Cross for
his actions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom March 23, 2003, while
serving with Amphibious Assault Vehicle Platoon, Company C, 1st
Battalion, 2nd Marines, Task Force Tarawa, II Marine Expeditionary
Force. news.navy.mil 12 Aug 04 |
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Byrd, Richard Evelyn, Jr. - Navy awards: Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with gold star, Distinguished Flying Cross. arlingtoncemetery.net |
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tarawaontheweb.org |
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Franz N. Kanaga, Commander, USN Navy Cross Citation - On July 24, 1945, U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Franz Kanaga led a squadron of dive bombers toward the Japanese battleship Hyuga in the inland Sea of Japan, south of the Japanese naval base at Kure. arlingtoncemetery.net |
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USS SLC CA25 WWII Navy Cross Citations Lloyd
E. Acree,
Aviation Ordnanceman, 3/c, USN(Posthumously) |
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Marines remember, honor fallen hero Cpl. Bryant Collins is awarded the Navy Cross for heroically recovering Reasoner's body and a second, wounded Marine while effectively engaging Viet Cong forces near Da Nang on July 12, 1965. The men of A Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, remembered their company commander, 1st Lt. Frank S. Reasoner. Because of Reasoner and his Marines, July 12, 1965, would be a day remembered by the Corps for conspicuous acts of gallantry and heroism that would end in the posthumous awarding of a Medal of Honor for Reasoner, a Navy Cross for Collins, and three Silver Stars for 2nd Lt. Bill Henderson, Lance Cpl. Fred L. Murray and Pfc. Thomas Gatlin. dcmilitary.com 10 Dec 04 |
Adm. Sheldon Kinney; Veteran of 3 Wars Sheldon Hoard Kinney, 86, a retired Navy rear admiral whose ship sank three German U-boats in one night and who saw combat service in three wars, died Dec. 11, 2004. He was a former commandant of the U.S. Naval Academy. He received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for Heroism for diving from his ship to rescue two downed aviators. Later, the Sturtevant was sunk, and he survived by floating on a bag of coffee beans. He took command of the USS Edsall in 1943, becoming the youngest commanding officer of a destroyer-type ship. He then commissioned and took command of the USS Bronstein. The Bronstein was credited with sinking three German U-boats in one night and putting a fourth out of action. He was awarded the Navy Cross, and the Bronstein received a Presidential Unit Citation. His other military decorations include the Legion of Merit (Combat V) with two Gold Stars, the Bronze Star (Combat V) and the Navy Commendation Medal. washingtonpost.com 8 Jan 05
Decorated Marine Robert Taplett Dies Col.Robert D. Taplett, 86, a heavily decorated Marine colonel who led his 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, in the grueling strategic retreat at Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War, died Dec. 17, 2004 of congestive heart failure. Col. Taplett was awarded the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, the Legion of Merit and a Bronze Star. washingtonpost.com 8 Jan 05
Parris Island drill instructor receives bravery award A Parris Island drill instructor who was shot in the leg but managed to lead Marines up an Afghanistan mountainside in pursuit of enemy troops in 2004 has received the Navy Cross. Staff Sgt. Anthony C. Viggiani, 25, was given the award during a graduation ceremony at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot on Parris Island. On June 3, 2004, Viggiani's unit came under fire while pursuing Taliban fighters, north of the village of Khabargho in the Zabol province. Enemy fire pinned down one of Viggiani's teams, wounding two Marines, but he pressed on until he came upon Taliban fighters in a cave, the Marine Corps said. Viggiani fired into the cave and then threw a grenade, killing three enemy troops. Viggiani's company continued its advance and eventually defeated the enemy fighters. During the battle, a bullet ricocheted off a rock and struck Viggiani in the leg. thestate.com 25 Feb 06
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Pendleton Marine earns Navy Cross for valor in Iraq A Marine will receive the naval service's second-highest award for valor displayed during an insurgent attack in Iraq, when, badly wounded, he saved another Marine's life. Marine 1st Sgt. Bradley Kasal will receive the Navy Cross and be promoted to the rank of sergeant major. Kasal had been wounded by shrapnel and bullets during fighting in Fallujah – losing 60 percent of his blood – when he saved another Marine's life by shielding him from an exploding grenade. Kasal, who suffered 40 shrapnel wounds, served as first sergeant, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force. So far, only nine other Navy Cross Medals have been awarded during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. signonsandeigo.com 1 May 06 |
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DI receives Navy Cross for extraordinary bravery in Iraq Sergeant Jeremiah Workman, a drill instructor with Delta Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion and Richwood, Va., native, received the Navy Cross for actions while on deployment in Fallujah, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004. He was awarded for extraordinary heroism, while serving as a squad leader for the Mortar Platoon, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Workman, exemplifying the old adage "no man left behind," repeatedly exposed himself to a hail of enemy fire to retrieve isolated Marines trapped inside an insurgent-infested building. Ignoring heavy enemy fire and a storm of grenades raining down on his position, Workman fearlessly laid down enough cover fire to allow the trapped Marines to escape. After seeing the first group of wounded Marines safely to a neighboring yard, Workman rallied additional Marines to his side and provided more cover fire for an attack into the building to rescue other Marines still trapped. He continued to fire even after receiving numerous shrapnel wounds to his arms and legs after a grenade exploded in front of him, stated his citation. Workman's efforts did not stop after the second rescue attack. Ignoring his wounds, Workman once again united his team for a final assault strike into the building to retrieve remaining Marines and to clear the building of insurgents. "Basically, we got ambushed," said Workman. "There were insurgents on the second floor in a bedroom. We fought our way up the stairs. There were grenades going off around us [and] small arms fire everywhere." During the course of the fight, Workman was responsible for the elimination of more than 20 insurgents. marines.mil 18 May 06 |
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Drill Instructor Receives Navy Cross for Bravery in Iraq Sgt. Jeremiah Workman, a drill instructor with Delta Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, and native of Richwood, Va., received the Navy Cross for actions while on deployment in Fallujah, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004. According to the citation, he was awarded for extraordinary heroism, while serving as a squad leader for the Mortar Platoon, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Workman, exemplifying the old adage "no man left behind," repeatedly exposed himself to a hail of enemy fire to retrieve isolated Marines trapped inside an insurgent-infested building. Ignoring heavy enemy fire and a storm of grenades raining down on his position, Workman fearlessly laid down enough cover fire to allow the trapped Marines to escape. After seeing the first group of wounded Marines safely to a neighboring yard, Workman rallied additional Marines to his side and provided more cover fire for an attack into the building to rescue other Marines still trapped. He continued to fire even after receiving numerous shrapnel wounds to his arms and legs after a grenade exploded in front of him, stated his citation. Workman's efforts did not stop after the second rescue attack. Ignoring his wounds, Workman once again united his team for a final assault strike into the building to retrieve remaining Marines and to clear the building of insurgents."Basically, we got ambushed," he said. "There were insurgents on the second floor in a bedroom. We fought our way up the stairs. There were grenades going off around us (and) small arms fire everywhere." During the course of the fight, Workman was responsible for the elimination of more than 20 insurgents. blackanthem.com 29 May 06 |
