List of Navy Cross recipients for the Korean War

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This list represents all of the 270 United States military personnel who received the Navy Cross for valor in combat during the Korean War. The majority of the awards, 224, were awarded to United States Marines; 43 more were awarded to members of the U.S. Navy; and three were awarded U.S. Army soldiers. 96 Navy Crosses were awarded posthumously.

The Korean War was an escalation of border clashes between two rival Korean regimes (each of which was supported by external powers) with each Korean regime trying to topple the other through political and guerrilla tactics. In a very narrow sense, some may refer to it as a civil war, though many other factors were at play.[1] After failing to strengthen their cause in the free elections held in South Korea during May 1950[2] and the refusal of South Korea to hold new elections per North Korean demands, the communist North Korean Army moved south on June 25, 1950 to attempt to reunite the Korean peninsula, which had been formally divided since 1948. The conflict was then expanded by the United States and the Soviet Union's involvement as part of the larger Cold War. The main hostilities were during the period from June 25, 1950 until the armistice was signed on July 27, 1953.

A[]

Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Notes
Welton R. Abell Marine Corps First Lieutenant between Hagaru-ri & Koto-ri, Korea December 6–8, 1950 Company commander
Jon D. Adams Marine Corps Private First Class Korea September 4–5, 1952 Single-handedly killed 58 of the enemy with a machine gun
Richard J. Adams Marine Corps Private First Class Korea March 19–20, 1953 Rifleman
George W. Alexander Jr. Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Korea April 8–9, 1952 Intelligence officer
David W. Alley Marine Corps Private First Class Yudam-ni, Korea November 30, 1950 Automatic rifleman
Wayne D. Austin Navy Chief Hospital Corpsman near Seoul, Korea September 22, 1950 Despite being severely wounded, he rendered aid to 10 wounded Marines

B[]

  This along with the  †, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously

Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Notes
Arlene K. Babbitt Navy Chief Aviation Machinist's Mate near Sariwon, Korea October 26, 1951 Helicopter pilot who rescued two pilots who had been shot 80 miles behind enemy lines
Arthur R. Bancroft † Marine Corps First Lieutenant Korea September 29, 1950 Located a friendly observation plane which had been shot down behind enemy lines before he himself was shot down
Charles L. Banks Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Chosin Reservoir, Korea November 29 – December 6, 1950 Battalion commander
Virgil W. Banning Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Korea April 23, 1951 Battalion commander
Arthur G. Barbosa Marine Corps Sergeant Korea April 15, 1952 Personally repelled three enemy assaults with a machine gun, killing 12 of the enemy
Quinton T. Barlow Marine Corps Technical Sergeant Korea April 16, 1952 Platoon sergeant
John M. Barrett † Marine Corps Corporal Korea June 10, 1951 Led his squad in an assault of an enemy hill, overrunning an emplacement despite multiple wounds
Ora E. Barrett Jr. † Marine Corps Private First Class Korea June 10, 1951 Provided covering fire which allowed the wounded to be evacuated
Robert H. Barrow Marine Corps Captain Hill 1081, Koto-ri, Korea December 9–10, 1950 Company commander, later awarded Distinguished Service Cross, served as 27th Commandant of the Marine Corps
William H. Bates Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Korea July 24–25, 1953 Platoon leader
James T. Beard Marine Corps Private Hagaru-ri, Korea December 3, 1950 After killing seven of the enemy in hand-to-hand combat, he single-handedly captured an enemy machine gun and used it to kill 10 more of the enemy
Robert E. Beatty Marine Corps Private First Class Korea April 8–9, 1952
Van D. Bell Jr. Marine Corps First Lieutenant near Hwachon, Korea May 29, 1951 First award
Adolfo Benavides Marine Corps Private First Class Korea October 6, 1952 Threw several enemy hand grenades from his bunker before one detonated in his hand
Elmer R. Betts Jr. Marine Corps Corporal Korea February 3, 1953
Harrison F. Betts Marine Corps First Lieutenant Hagaru-ri, Korea November 28–29, 1950 After all other members of his platoon were wounded, he personally killed 11 of the enemy with a machine gun over a period of three hours
Richard N. Blasongame Marine Corps Private First Class Hwang-gi area, Korea September 15–16, 1951 Led his machine gun section in killing 287 of the enemy
Joseph A. Blick Marine Corps Private First Class Korea December 7–8, 1950 Personally captured four and killed 14 of the enemy despite multiple wounds
John F. Bolt Marine Corps Major Korea July 11, 1953 Shot down two enemy jets, bringing his total score during the war to six. This feat made him the first and only Marine jet ace in history. He had also shot down six planes in World War II.
Dorsie H. Booker Jr. † Marine Corps First Lieutenant Yudam-ni, Korea December 2, 1950 Platoon commander
Walter C. Borawski † Marine Corps Technical Sergeant Korea January 13, 1953 Platoon sergeant
Guy P. Bordelon Navy Lieutenant over Seoul, Korea July 17, 1953 First and only Navy ace of the war, and the only night fighter ace in Korea.
Murray M. Bowen † Navy Hospitalman Yong Dong Po-Ri, Korea September 21, 1950 After rendering aid to nine wounded Marines, he was attempting to reach a 10th when he was killed
Billie J. Bowerman Marine Corps Private First Class Korea May 10, 1952 Automatic rifleman
Palmer S. Braaten † Marine Corps Private First Class Yudam-ni, Korea December 2, 1950 Squad leader
Bobbie B. Bradley Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Korea December 8, 1950 Platoon commander
Charles W. Bradshaw † Marine Corps Private First Class Korea April 25–26, 1953 Fire team leader
Joseph C. Brady Navy Hospitalman Korea September 13, 1952 Later died of malaria in Vietnam
Earl B. Bratback † Marine Corps Corporal Korea April 25, 1951 Rifle squad leader
Richard R. Breen Marine Corps Captain near Seoul, Korea September 26–27, 1950 Company commander
Donald E. Brewer † Navy Lieutenant, Junior Grade Central Korea June 19, 1953
William C. Britt Marine Corps First Lieutenant Korea March 19, 1953 Platoon leader
Dale W. Brown Navy Hospitalman Korea April 18, 1953 Threw several enemy hand grenades from his position before he was wounded by one
William P. Brown Jr. † Marine Corps Captain Korea February 24, 1952 Crashed his plane into an enemy convoy
Rollins M. Bryant † Marine Corps Staff Sergeant near Tumae-ri, Korea May 28, 1952 Platoon sergeant
Thomas A. Burchick Navy Hospital Corpsman Third Class Korea May 29, 1951 Corpsman
Phillip J. Burr Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Korea October 6, 1952 Platoon commander
George H. Butler Marine Corps Master Sergeant near Hongch-on, Korea March 11, 1951 Despite being wounded multiple times while assaulting an enemy position, he succeeded in killing 10 of the enemy
Wallace S. Butler Jr. † Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Korea April 8, 1953 Platoon commander

C[]

  This along with the  †, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously

Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Notes
Crayton L. Caldwell † Marine Corps Corporal Korea October 6, 1952
John J. Canney † Marine Corps Major Korea November 28, 1950 Battalion executive officer
Mario J. Cardillo † Marine Corps Private First Class Korea May 9, 1952 Mortar ammunition carrier
Fred D. Chadwick † Marine Corps Sergeant Korea January 31, 1953 Platoon sergeant
William B. Chain Jr. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Korea August 13, 1952 Squad leader
Theodore H. Chenoweth Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Korea March 28, 1953 Platoon commander
John W. Chinner Marine Corps Sergeant Korea March 9, 1951 Machine gun section leader
Thomas A. Christensen Jr. † Navy Dentalman Kowan, Korea November 6, 1950 Corpsman
Bernard W. Christofferson Marine Corps First Lieutenant Yudam-ni, Korea November 28, 1950 Platoon commander
Joe V. Churchill Navy Hospitalman Korea April 23, 1951 Corpsman, originally awarded Bronze Star which was upgraded to Navy Cross in 1985
Eugene F. Clark Navy Lieutenant North Korea September 13–14, 1950 Special operations group member
Albert H. Collins † Marine Corps Private First Class Korea September 21, 1950 Assistant machine gunner
Lyle F. Conaway Marine Corps Private First Class Korea September 15–16, 1951 Rifleman
John D. Counselman Marine Corps Second Lieutenant near Seoul, Korea September 17 & 26, 1950 Platoon leader
Ernie L. Crawford Navy Aviation Machinist's Mate Second Class Hungnam area, Korea January 22, 1952 Rescue helicopter crewman
Frank S. Cross Marine Corps Private First Class Korea March 19–20, 1953 Automatic rifleman

D[]

  This along with the  †, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously

Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Notes
Donald A. Daigneault Marine Corps Private First Class Korea September 12, 1951 Automatic rifleman
Joseph W. Dailey Marine Corps Technical Sergeant Korea February 25, 1953 Later served as 5th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
James C. Davis † Marine Corps Staff Sergeant near Chindong-ni, Korea August 8, 1950 Smothered a defective hand grenade with his own body
John G. Demas Marine Corps Captain Korea August 13–15, 1952 Company commander
Loyd V. Dirst Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer near Pusong-ni, Korea November 29–30, 1950 Organized his company during an ambush, personally accounting for several of the enemy before he was seriously wounded
Richard M. Doezema Marine Corps First Lieutenant Korea April 24, 1951 Artillery forward observer attached to Korean Marine regiment
Marion T. Dragastin † Navy Lieutenant, Junior Grade North Korea May 18, 1951 Fighter pilot
Matthew D. Dukes Marine Corps Corporal Korea September 14, 1951 Fire team leader
Andrew F. Dunay Marine Corps Sergeant near Hagaru-ri, Korea December 6–7, 1950

E[]

  This along with the  †, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously

Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Notes
Leland E. Ehrlich † Marine Corps Sergeant Korea December 7, 1950 Single-handedly attacked an enemy machine gun nest and disrupted an enemy attack
Robert J. Elliott † Marine Corps Private First Class Korea January 26, 1951
George W. Elmore † Marine Corps Private First Class Korea February 26, 1951 Automatic rifleman
John B. Elwell † Marine Corps Private First Class Korea February 3, 1953 Single-handedly assaulted and routed the enemy from a bunker before he was mortally wounded
Ralph F. Estey Marine Corps Captain Korea March 27–28, 1953 Company commander

F[]

  This along with the  †, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously

Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Notes
David K. Fauser Marine Corps First Lieutenant Korea February 3, 1953 Platoon commander
John L. Fenwick Jr. Marine Corps Sergeant Hwachon Reservoir area, Korea April 1951 Belatedly awarded Navy Cross in 1960
Teddy R. Fielding Navy Lieutenant Northeast coast of Korea December 3, 1951 Reconnaissance swimmer
Joseph R. Fisher Marine Corps First Lieutenant Hagaru-ri, Korea November 28–29, 1950 Company commander
George F. Fitzpatrick † Marine Corps Private First Class Korea January 31, 1953 Rifleman
Charlie Foster † Marine Corps Sergeant Korea November 6, 1950 Platoon sergeant
Fred T. Foster Navy Hospital Corpsman Third Class Yudam-ni, Korea November 28, 1950 Corpsman
Edward Fristock † Marine Corps Master Sergeant near Waryong-ni, Korea June 7, 1951 Company gunnery sergeant

G[]

  This along with the  †, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously

Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Notes
James P. Gallagher Marine Corps Private Korea November 27–28, 1950 Assumed command of his machine gun section and directed his Marines in inflicting 100 casualties on the enemy
William M. Gaul † Marine Corps Sergeant Korea September 13–14, 1951 Platoon sergeant
William F. Gentleman Navy Hospitalman Korea August 15, 1952 Rendered aid to wounded Marines under heavy fire for nine hours before he himself was wounded
Walter W. George † Marine Corps Private First Class near Yudam-ni, Korea December 2, 1950 Automatic rifleman
Donald W. Gilligan Marine Corps Private First Class Korea October 27, 1950 Assistant machine gunner
Joseph L. Giovannucci Marine Corps Private First Class Korea September 11, 1951 Assistant machine gunner
Martin L. Givot † Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Korea October 26–27, 1952 Platoon leader
Callis C. Gooding Navy Aviation Machinist's Mate Third Class near Sariwon, Korea October 26, 1951 Rescue helicopter crewman
Rodney J. Green Marine Corps Private First Class Korea September 4–5, 1952 Machine gun squad leader
John N. Guild † Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Hill 85, Yongdungp’o, Korea September 20, 1950 Platoon leader
Richard S. Gzik † Marine Corps Private First Class Korea December 2, 1950 Automatic rifleman

H[]

  This along with the  †, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously

Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Notes
John H. C. Hamby Marine Corps Sergeant near Yudam-ni, Korea November 27, 1950 Squad leader
Weldon D. Harris † Marine Corps Corporal near Seoul, Korea September 23–24, 1950 Fire team leader
William F. Harris † Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel between Hagaru-ri & Koto-ri December 7, 1950 Battalion commander
Roy E. Harrison † Marine Corps Private First Class near Inje, Korea June 11, 1951 Machine gunner
Amon F. Harvey Jr. † Marine Corps Private First Class near Yudam-ni, Korea December 2, 1950 Rifleman
Robert C. Hendrickson Marine Corps Captain Korea September 12, 1951 Company commander
Howard C. Hensley Jr. Marine Corps Sergeant Korea January 13, 1953 Squad leader
Wilbur N. Herndon Marine Corps First Lieutenant Korea December 7, 1950 Artillery battery executive officer
Ernest J. Hightower † Marine Corps Private First Class Korea June 1, 1951 Fire team leader
Frederick E. Hilliard Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Korea December 16, 1952 Platoon leader
Morse L. Holladay Marine Corps Captain near Hagaru-ri, Korea November 29–30, 1950 Company commander
William C. Holmberg Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Korea June 13, 1952 Platoon leader
William P. Holt Marine Corps Private First Class Sudong-ni, Korea December 10, 1950 Machine gunner
John L. Hopkins Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Hill 611, Korea June 2, 1951 Battalion commander
Russell J. House † Marine Corps Corporal Kimpo Airfield, Korea September 18, 1950
Donald J. Hovatter † Navy Hospital Corpsman Third Class Korea May 29, 1951 Corpsman
Warren C. Howard Marine Corps Private First Class Korea December 7, 1950 Machine gunner
Milton A. Hull Marine Corps Captain near Yudam-ni, Korea November 27, 1950 Company commander
David L. Hyde † Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Korea October 27, 1952 Platoon leader

I[]

Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Notes
Nils V. Ingemansson Marine Corps Sergeant Korea September 6–7, 1952 Squad leader

J[]

  This along with the  †, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously

Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Notes
James E. Jackson Jr. † Marine Corps Private First Class Korea May 17, 1951 Automatic rifleman
R. A. Jackson † Marine Corps Private First Class near Yudam-ni, Korea November 28, 1950 Rifleman
Austin C. Jenson † Marine Corps Second Lieutenant near Yudam-ni, Korea November 29, 1950 Platoon leader
Horace L. Johnson Jr. Marine Corps First Lieutenant Korea November 28–29, 1950 Company executive officer
Walter P. Johnson Marine Corps Private First Class Korea July 5, 1952 Smothered an enemy hand grenade with his own body and was seriously wounded
Donald R. Jones Marine Corps Second Lieutenant near Koto-ri Pass, Korea December 8, 1950 Platoon leader
Jack R. Jones Marine Corps Captain near Yudam-ni, Korea November 27 – December 7, 1950 Company commander

K[]

  This along with the  †, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously

Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Notes
Vance E. Kee Navy Hospital Corpsman Third Class near Yang-gu, Korea June 19, 1951 Shielded a wounded Marine from an exploding mine using his own body
Joseph F. Keenan † Navy Hospital Corpsman Third Class Korea March 26–27, 1953
Harrol Kiser Marine Corps First Lieutenant near Hagaru-ri, Korea December 3, 1950 Platoon leader
Alex J. Kitka Navy Hospital Corpsman Third Class Korea July 16–17, 1951
Edwin L. Knox Marine Corps Technical Sergeant between Yudam-ni & Hagaru-ri, Korea December 1–3, 1950 Platoon sergeant
Robert D. Kohler Marine Corps Private First Class Korea March 3, 1953 Automatic rifleman
Vincent R. Kramer Marine Corps Major North Korea June 30, July 2 & 7, 1951 Led 100 South Korean troops into enemy territory
Joseph R. Kurcaba † Marine Corps First Lieutenant Korea October 21 – December 8, 1950 Company commander

L[]

  This along with the  †, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously

Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Notes
Donald F. Lambert † Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Korea January 8, 1953 Platoon commander
Jack F. Larson Marine Corps Sergeant near Hongch-on, Korea March 11, 1951 Squad leader
James F. Lawrence Jr. Marine Corps Major between Hagaru-ri & Koto-ri December 6–7, 1950 Operations officer and battalion executive officer
Benjamin G. Lee † Marine Corps Major Korea March 29, 1953
Kurt C. Lee Marine Corps First Lieutenant near Sudong November 2–3, 1950 Platoon leader
Joseph R. Leeds † Marine Corps Corporal near Koto-ri, Korea December 8, 1950 Assaulted an enemy machine gun position and killed nine of the enemy in hand-to-hand combat before he was killed
Lawrence E. Lett † Marine Corps Corporal Korea October 27, 1952 Squad leader
Ronald N. Levasseur † Marine Corps Private First Class near Hagaru-ri, Korea November 28–29, 1950 Platoon messenger
Charles G. Little Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Korea June 24–25, 1952 Platoon leader
Homer L. Litzenberg Jr. Marine Corps Colonel between Hagaru-ri and Koto-ri, Korea December 6–7, 1950 Regiment commander
William J. Livingston Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Korea February 27, 1953 Platoon leader
Herbert M. Lorence Marine Corps Captain Korea March 28, 1953 Company commander
Joseph J. Louder Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Korea August 17, 1952 Platoon sergeant
William B. Lourim † Marine Corps Sergeant near Yanggu, Korea June 10, 1951 Combat correspondent
Frank E. Lovett Jr. † Marine Corps Sergeant Korea March 26, 1953 Squad leader
Eugene L. Lutz Marine Corps Sergeant Korea June 26, 1951 Machine gun section leader
Theodore J. Lutz Jr. Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Korea July 25, 1953 Platoon leader

M[]

  This along with the  †, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously

Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Notes
John J. Magda † Navy Lieutenant Commander Tanch-on, Korea March 8, 1951 World War II ace, continued to carry out bombing and strafing runs despite his aircraft being damaged
Perry A. Mallette Marine Corps Sergeant Korea July 6, 1952
Frederick J. Markland Marine Corps Private Kowon, Korea November 6, 1950 Railroad train guard
Donald E. Mason Navy Hospitalman Korea October 12, 1952
Richard Matheney Marine Corps Private First Class Korea April 24, 1951 Artillery forward observer
Bruce Mathewson Jr. † Marine Corps Staff Sergeant near Koto-ri, Korea November 29, 1950 Machine gun section leader
John E. Mausen Jr. Navy Hospitalman Korea October 6, 1952
Paul N. McCloskey Jr. Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Korea May 29, 1951 Platoon leader
William J. McClung III Marine Corps Master Sergeant Korea December 7, 1950 POW during World War II
Harold O. McEachern Navy Lieutenant, Junior Grade near Wonsan, Korea August 5, 1952 Helicopter pilot who located and rescued Marine Medal of Honor recipient Robert E. Galer, who had been shot down behind enemy lines
Patrick T. McGahn Jr. Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Korea April 22–23, 1951 Platoon leader
Thomas P. McGuire Marine Corps Sergeant Hill 134, Korea January 8, 1953 Squad leader
George C. McNaughton Marine Corps First Lieutenant near Seoul, Korea September 24, 1950 Platoon leader
James H. McVeen † Navy Hospitalman Korea March 27, 1953
John F. Meade Marine Corps Private First Class near Yudam-ni, Korea November 27, 1950 Platoon runner
John B. Melvin Marine Corps Captain Korea March 26–29, 1953 Company commander
Richard C. Merrick † Navy Commander Korea May 1951 Strike leader
Earl D. Midkiff Marine Corps Private First Class Korea November 3, 1950 Picked up an enemy hand grenade and attempted to throw it out of his foxhole. He was seriously wounded when it detonated in his hand but he saved the life of a Marine. Belatedly awarded Navy Cross in 1964.
Charles D. Mize Marine Corps First Lieutenant Hill 216 & Seoul, Korea September 23–29, 1950 Company commander
Charles H. Monroe Jr. Marine Corps Private First Class near Hagaru-ri, Korea November 28–29, 1950 Rifleman
Clarence G. Moody Jr. Marine Corps Captain Korea August 12–13, 1952 Company commander
Anthony G. Morrison † Marine Corps First Lieutenant Korea November 11, 1952 Company commander
Daniel M. Murphy Marine Corps Staff Sergeant near Yudam-ni, Korea November 27–28, 1950 Platoon sergeant
Benjamin H. Murray Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Korea March 26, 1953 Outpost commander
Raymond L. Murray Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Hagaru-ri & Koto-ri, Korea December 6–7, 1950 Second award

N[]

  This along with the  †, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously

Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Notes
George M. Neal Navy Aviation Machinist's Mate Third Class North Korea July 3, 1951 POW
Franklin B. Nihart Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Hill 749, Hwanggi, Korea September 15–16, 1951 Battalion commander
Harvey W. Nolan Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Hwachon, Korea April 23, 1951 Platoon leader
Henry E. Noonkester Marine Corps Sergeant Koto-ri, Korea December 9, 1950 Squad leader
Ramón Núñez-Juárez † Marine Corps Private First Class Korea August 9, 1952 Automatic rifleman

O[]

  This along with the  †, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously

Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Notes
Terrance W. O'Donnell † Navy Hospitalman Korea June 25, 1952 Corpsman
James W. Ogden † Marine Corps Private First Class Hagaru-ri, Korea November 30, 1950
John Olihovik Army Captain Chuchon-ni, Korea February 20, 1951 L-5 airplane pilot
Edmond T. Orsulak Marine Corps Private First Class near Yudam-ni, Korea November 30 – December 1, 1950 Platoon runner
James W. O'Toole † Marine Corps Private First Class near Seoul, Korea September 24, 1950 Machine gunner

P[]

  This along with the  †, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously

Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Notes
John U. D. Page † Army Lieutenant Colonel near Sudong-ni, Korea December 10, 1950 Also awarded Medal of Honor
Waller J. Parker Navy Hospitalman near Yudam-ni, Korea November 29, 1950
Donald L. Parks † Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Korea May 6, 1952 Pilot
Earl F. Peach † Marine Corps Sergeant Korea November 3, 1950 Platoon runner
Chester O. Penney Jr. † Marine Corps First Lieutenant Korea November 2–11, 1950 Platoon leader
Uel D. Peters Marine Corps Captain Chosin Reservoir, Korea November 27 – December 6, 1950 Company commander
George E. Petro Marine Corps Captain Sudong-ni, Korea December 10, 1950 Company commander
Walter D. Phillips Jr. † Marine Corps Captain near Yudam-ni, Korea November 27, 1950 Company commander
Paul N. Polley Navy Hospitalman Korea March 26–27, 1953
Charles E. Pope † Navy Hospital Corpsman Third Class Korea February 22, 1953
Clinton A. Puckett Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Korea June 21, 1952 Platoon sergeant, later served as 6th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
Lewis B. Puller Marine Corps Colonel between Koto-ri & Hungnam, Korea December 5–10, 1950 Fifth award, 1st Marine Regiment commander

R[]

  This along with the  †, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously

Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Notes
Arlis W. Ramsay † Marine Corps Sergeant Korea March 28, 1953 Squad leader
Robert J. Raymond † Marine Corps Sergeant Korea July 26, 1953 Platoon guide
Benjamin S. Read Marine Corps Captain Chosin Reservoir, Korea December 7, 1950 Artillery battery commander
Kenneth L. Reusser Marine Corps Major Inchon area, Korea August 5, 1950 Second award
Clayton L. Roberts † Marine Corps Sergeant Korea October 27, 1950 Machine gun squad leader
Stanley S. Robinson Marine Corps Private near Sudong, Korea December 2–4, 1950 Fire team leader
Harold S. Roise Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Inchon & Seoul, Korea September 15–26, 1950 First award, Battalion commander
Harold S. Roise Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Chosin Reservoir, Korea November 27 – December 11, 1950 Second award, battalion commander
Enrique Romero-Nieves Marine Corps Private First Class Korea October 26, 1952 Squad leader
John A. Rowe Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Korea May 31, 1952 Attempted to throw an enemy hand grenade away from his Marines and was seriously wounded when it exploded
Franklin D. Roy Marine Corps Corporal Korea October 26, 1952 Wireman
Charles V. Rust † Marine Corps Corporal Hill 673, Korea September 12, 1951 Fire team leader
Howard Ryan † Marine Corps Sergeant Korea October 7, 1952 Squad leader

S[]

  This along with the  †, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously

Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Notes
Robert B. Salsberry Marine Corps Corporal near Seoul, Korea September 26, 1950 Despite being wounded, he single-handedly held off the enemy for seven hours, saving the lives of six wounded Marines.
Webb D. Sawyer Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Korea April 22–25, 1951 Battalion commander
James E. Scott Marine Corps Sergeant Hagaru-ri, Korea November 30, 1950
Edward H. Seeburger Marine Corps First Lieutenant between Yudam-ni & Hagaru-ri December 2, 1950 Provisional company commander
Russell J. Seldal Marine Corps Private First Class Chosin Reservoir, Korea December 4, 1950 Cannoneer
Robert Serrano Navy Hospitalman Korea September 12, 1951 Shielded a wounded Marine from an exploding mine with his own body
Walter C. Shonk Marine Corps Private First Class Korea June 10, 1951 Automatic rifleman
Darcy V. Shouldice Navy Lieutenant Commander off Wonsan Harbor October 12, 1950
Louis J. Sigmund Marine Corps Private First Class Korea November 28, 1951 Leaped into a bunker to throw out an enemy hand grenade away from a Marine. He lost his left hand from the explosion and was also wounded in the head.
Lloyd B. Smalley † Marine Corps Sergeant Korea December 8, 1952 Squad leader
Billy D. Smith † Navy Hospitalman Korea July 11–13, 1953
David E. Smith † Marine Corps Sergeant Korea July 9, 1953 Squad leader
H. J. Smith † Marine Corps First Lieutenant Seoul, Korea September 24, 1950 Company commander
Loren R. Smith Marine Corps First Lieutenant near Yudam-ni, Korea November 28, 1950 Company executive officer
Raymond C. Smith Marine Corps Private First Class Korea October 6, 1952
Samuel S. Smith Jr. Marine Corps Captain Chosin Reservoir, Korea December 6–7, 1950 Company commander
Edward W. Snelling Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Hagaru-ri, Korea November 28–29, 1950 Mortar section leader
James B. Southall Marine Corps Sergeant Korea September 14, 1951 Platoon sergeant
Frank Speir Army Major Korea September 19, 1950
Charles R. Stapler † Navy Commander North Korea June 9, 1951 Night fighter pilot
James W. Stephen † Marine Corps Sergeant Korea October 6, 1952 Squad leader
John W. Stevens II Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Chosin Reservoir, Korea November 27 – December 11, 1950 Battalion commander
Roy L. Stewart Marine Corps Private First Class Korea July 16–17, 1953
Cletus H. Stone Navy Hospitalman Korea September 16, 1951
Frederick E. Stouffer Marine Corps Private First Class near Koto-ri, Korea December 8, 1950 Platoon runner
Dale L. Stropes † Marine Corps Master Sergeant near Yudam-ni, Korea December 2, 1950 Company gunnery sergeant
George S. Sulliman † Marine Corps First Lieutenant near Hill 435, Map’yong-ni, Korea April 24, 1951 Platoon leader
Allan Sutter Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Chosin Reservoir, Korea November 25 – December 10, 1950 Battalion commander
Oral R. Swigart Jr. Marine Corps Captain Korea July 24–25, 1953 Company commander

T[]

  This along with the  †, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously

Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Notes
Kenneth E. Taft Jr. † Marine Corps Captain Korea March 26, 1953 Platoon leader
Robert D. Taplett Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Chosin Reservoir, Korea November 28 – December 10, 1950 Battalion commander
Francis R. Thomas Jr. † Marine Corps Private First Class Korea October 27, 1952 Fire team leader
Will A. Thompson † Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Korea October 6, 1952 Platoon sergeant
John W. Thornton Navy Lieutenant, Junior Grade near Wonsan, Korea March 31, 1951 POW
Gerald G. Tidwell † Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Hungnam, Korea December 24, 1950 Platoon leader
Donald T. Toland † Marine Corps Corporal Korea May 28, 1951 Radio operator
Robert F. Touchette Marine Corps Sergeant near Tumae-ri, Korea May 28, 1952 Squad leader
Alfred D. Trombly Navy Hospital Corpsman Third Class Korea June 8, 1951 Shielded wounded Marines from shrapnel using his own body, and despite his wounds he continued to render aid

U[]

  This along with the  †, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously

Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Notes
Ernest J. Umbaugh † Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Koto-ri Pass, Korea December 9, 1950 Platoon sergeant

V[]

  This along with the  †, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously

Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Notes
Earl L. Valentine Jr. † Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Korea August 25–26, 1952 Platoon leader
Lucian L. Vestal Marine Corps First Lieutenant Korea May 28, 1951 Platoon leader
Raymond W. Vogel Jr. † Navy Commander near Seoul, Korea August 19, 1950 Pilot

W[]

  This along with the  †, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously

Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Notes
Thomas H. Waddill Navy Hospitalman Korea March 26, 1953 Shielded several wounded Marines from enemy fire with his own body and was seriously wounded. He was later captured as a POW.
Robert C. Wagner Navy Hospitalman Hill 673, Korea September 7, 1951
Stephen C. Walter † Marine Corps Sergeant Korea July 17–18, 1953 Squad leader
Ralph L. Walz † Marine Corps Captain Korea March 29, 1953 Company commander
Joseph M. Ward Marine Corps Sergeant Korea September 19, 1950 Leaped into a foxhole and threw an enemy hand grenade out. He was wounded by the explosion but saved the lives of two Marines.
Marvin L. Wasson Marine Corps Private First Class Sudong-ni, Korea December 10, 1950 Anti-tank gunner
John E. Watson Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Korea August 12–13, 1952
Stanley J. Wawrzyniak Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Korea September 19, 1951 First award, company gunnery sergeant
Stanley J. Wawrzyniak Marine Corps Technical Sergeant Korea April 16, 1952 Second award
William D. Weisgerber Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Korea October 2, 1952 Platoon guide
Robley E. West Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Korea April 23–24, 1951 Battalion commander
Jack Westerman Marine Corps First Lieutenant Korea August 10, 1950 Platoon leader
Roger G. Whear Jr. Navy Hospitalman Korea August 20, 1952
Jack V. Williams † Marine Corps Corporal Hagaru-ri, Korea December 6–7, 1950 Machine gun squad leader
Leslie C. Williams † Marine Corps Second Lieutenant near Yudam-ni, Korea December 1, 1950 Platoon leader
Frank E. Wilson Marine Corps Captain near Hwachon Reservoir, Korea April 13, 1951 Helicopter pilot
Loyd J. Wilson † Marine Corps Private First Class Korea October 6, 1952 Machine gunner
Wilmot H. Wolf Marine Corps Technical Sergeant Korea November 24, 1952 Assistant patrol leader
John G. Word Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Korea September 5–7, 1952 Platoon leader
Vance O. Worster † Marine Corps Private First Class Korea October 26, 1952

Y[]

Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Notes
John Yancey Marine Corps First Lieutenant near Yudam-ni, Korea November 27–28, 1950 Second award
George W. Yates † Marine Corps First Lieutenant Korea April 8–9, 1953 Platoon leader

See also[]

References[]

General
  • "Navy Cross - Korean War". Home of Heroes. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  • "USN Korean War Navy Cross recipients" (PDF). U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  • "USMC Korean War Navy Cross recipients" (PDF). U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
Inline
  1. ^ Richard W. Stewart (ed.). "Ch. 8 :The Korean War, 1950–1953". American Military History, Volume 2(revised 2005). CMH Pub 30-22. Retrieved August 20, 2007.
  2. ^ Hermes, Jr., Walter (1966). Truce Tent and Fighting Front. United States Army Center of Military History. p. 2,6,9.
Retrieved from ""