List of Navy Cross recipients for the Korean War
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{{refimprove|date=June 2020}}
This is a list of Navy Cross recipients for actions of valor carried out during the Korean War, awarded by the United States Department of the Navy.
The Korean War was an escalation of border clashes between two rival Korean regimes, created at the end of World War II by the division of Korea into two occupation zones (a U.S. and Soviet one), 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.{{cite book|url=http://www.history.army.mil/books/AMH-V2/AMH%20V2/index.htm#cont|title=American Military History, Volume 2(revised 2005)|editor=Richard W. Stewart|chapter=Ch. 8 :The Korean War, 1950–1953|id=CMH Pub 30-22|access-date=August 20, 2007|chapter-url=http://www.history.army.mil/books/AMH-V2/AMH%20V2/chapter8.htm|archive-date=May 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518095626/http://www.history.army.mil/books/AMH-V2/AMH%20V2/index.htm#cont|url-status=dead}} After failing to strengthen their cause in the free elections held in South Korea during May 1950{{cite book|last=Hermes, Jr.|first=Walter|url=http://www.history.army.mil/books/korea/truce/fm.htm|title=Truce Tent and Fighting Front|publisher=United States Army Center of Military History|year=1966|page=2,6,9|access-date=2020-06-02|archive-date=2009-02-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224221455/http://www.history.army.mil/books/korea/truce/fm.htm|url-status=dead}} 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 an armistice was signed on July 27, 1953.
{{As of|2022|June}}, this list is incomplete, showing 270 Navy Crosses awarded in all service branches for actions of valor during the Korean War: 43 to US Navy recipients; 224 to US Marine Corps recipients; and one US Army recipient. By partial comparison, {{As of|2022|June|lc=y}}, the U.S. Department of Defense shows 49 awarded to Navy recipients{{cite web |url=https://valor.defense.gov/Portals/24/Documents/ServiceCross/NavyCross-KoreanWar.pdf |title=(U.S. Navy) Navy Cross Recipients, Korean War, 1950-1953 |date=2013-03-29 |publisher=U.S. Department of Defense |access-date=2022-06-24}} and 248 to Marines Corps recipients,{{cite web |url=https://valor.defense.gov/Portals/24/Documents/ServiceCross/USMCNavyCross-KoreanWar.pdf |title=U.S. Marine Corps Navy Cross Recipients, Korean War, 1950-1953 |date=2013-09-12 |publisher=U.S. Department of Defense |access-date=2022-06-24}} for acts of valor during the Korean War.
{{compact ToC|d=D–E |e=|f=F–G |g=|i=I–K |j=|k=|n=N–O |o=|p=P–Q |q=|t=T–V |u=|v=|x=X–Z |y=|z=|seealso=yes|refs=yes|extlinks=yes}}
A
| class="wikitable sortable"
!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
{{legend|#e3d9ff|This along with the {{KIA}}, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
| class="wikitable sortable"
!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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Arthur R. Bancroft{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |John M. Barrett{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Corporal |Korea |June 10, 1951 |Led his squad in an assault of an enemy hill, overrunning an emplacement despite multiple wounds |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Ora E. Barrett Jr.{{KIA}}
|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 (second was in Vietnam War) |
| 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. |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Dorsie H. Booker Jr.{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |First Lieutenant |Yudam-ni, Korea |December 2, 1950 |Platoon commander |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Walter C. Borawski{{KIA}}
|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. |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Murray M. Bowen{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Palmer S. Braaten{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Charles W. Bradshaw{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Earl B. Bratback{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Donald E. Brewer{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |William P. Brown Jr.{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Captain |Korea |February 24, 1952 |Second award (first was in World War II). Crashed his plane into an enemy convoy |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Rollins M. Bryant{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Wallace S. Butler Jr.{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Second Lieutenant |Korea |April 8, 1953 |Platoon commander |
C
{{legend|#e3d9ff|This along with the {{KIA}}, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Name !Service !Rank !Place of action !Date of action !Notes |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Crayton L. Caldwell{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Corporal |Korea |October 6, 1952 | |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |John J. Canney{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Major |Korea |November 28, 1950 |Battalion executive officer |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Mario J. Cardillo{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Private First Class |Korea |May 9, 1952 |Mortar ammunition carrier |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Fred D. Chadwick{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Thomas A. Christensen Jr.{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Albert H. Collins{{KIA}}
|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–E
{{legend|#e3d9ff|This along with the {{KIA}}, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
| class="wikitable sortable"
!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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |James C. Davis{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Marion T. Dragastin{{KIA}}
|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 | |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Leland E. Ehrlich{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Sergeant |Korea |December 7, 1950 |Single-handedly attacked an enemy machine gun nest and disrupted an enemy attack |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Robert J. Elliott{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Private First Class |Korea |January 26, 1951 | |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |George W. Elmore{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Private First Class |Korea |February 26, 1951 |Automatic rifleman |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |John B. Elwell{{KIA}}
|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–G
{{legend|#e3d9ff|This along with the {{KIA}}, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
| class="wikitable sortable"
!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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |George F. Fitzpatrick{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Private First Class |Korea |January 31, 1953 |Rifleman |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Charlie Foster{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Sergeant |Korea |November 6, 1950 |Platoon sergeant |
| Fred T. Foster
|Navy |Hospital Corpsman Third Class |Yudam-ni, Korea |November 28, 1950 |Corpsman |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Edward Fristock{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Master Sergeant |near Waryong-ni, Korea |June 7, 1951 |Company gunnery sergeant |
| 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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |William M. Gaul{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Walter W. George{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Martin L. Givot{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |John N. Guild{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Second Lieutenant |Hill 85, Yongdungp’o, Korea |September 20, 1950 |Platoon leader |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Richard S. Gzik{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Private First Class |Korea |December 2, 1950 |Automatic rifleman |
H
{{legend|#e3d9ff|This along with the {{KIA}}, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
| class="wikitable sortable"
!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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Weldon D. Harris{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Corporal |near Seoul, Korea |September 23–24, 1950 |Fire team leader |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |William F. Harris{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Lieutenant Colonel |between Hagaru-ri & Koto-ri |December 7, 1950 |Battalion commander |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Roy E. Harrison{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Private First Class |near Inje, Korea |June 11, 1951 |Machine gunner |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Amon F. Harvey Jr.{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Ernest J. Hightower{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Russell J. House{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Corporal |Kimpo Airfield, Korea |September 18, 1950 | |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Donald J. Hovatter{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |David L. Hyde{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Second Lieutenant |Korea |October 27, 1952 |Platoon leader |
I–K
{{legend|#e3d9ff|This along with the {{KIA}}, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Name !Service !Rank !Place of action !Date of action !Notes |
| Nils V. Ingemansson
|Marine Corps |Sergeant |Korea |September 6–7, 1952 |Squad leader |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |James E. Jackson Jr.{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Private First Class |Korea |May 17, 1951 |Automatic rifleman |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |R. A. Jackson{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Private First Class |near Yudam-ni, Korea |November 28, 1950 |Rifleman |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Austin C. Jenson{{KIA}}
|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 |
| 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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Joseph F. Keenan{{KIA}}
|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, 1953 |Administered first aid to comrades under intense enemy fire until all casualties were evacuated |
| 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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Joseph R. Kurcaba{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |First Lieutenant |Korea |October 21 – December 8, 1950 |Company commander |
L
{{legend|#e3d9ff|This along with the {{KIA}}, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Name !Service !Rank !Place of action !Date of action !Notes |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Donald F. Lambert{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Benjamin G. Lee{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Major |Korea |March 29, 1953 | |
| Kurt C. Lee
|Marine Corps |First Lieutenant |near Sudong |November 2–3, 1950 |Platoon leader |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Joseph R. Leeds{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Lawrence E. Lett{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Corporal |Korea |October 27, 1952 |Squad leader |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Ronald N. Levasseur{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |William B. Lourim{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Sergeant |near Yanggu, Korea |June 10, 1951 |Combat correspondent |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Frank E. Lovett Jr.{{KIA}}
|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
{{legend|#e3d9ff|This along with the {{KIA}}, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Name !Service !Rank !Place of action !Date of action !Notes |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |John J. Magda{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Bruce Mathewson Jr.{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |James H. McVeen{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Richard C. Merrick{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Anthony G. Morrison{{KIA}}
|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 (first was in World War II) |
N–O
{{legend|#e3d9ff|This along with the {{KIA}}, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
| class="wikitable sortable"
!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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Ramón Núñez-Juárez{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Private First Class |Korea |August 9, 1952 |Automatic rifleman |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Terrance W. O'Donnell{{KIA}}
|Navy |Hospitalman |Korea |June 25, 1952 |Corpsman |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |James W. Ogden{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |James W. O'Toole{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Private First Class |near Seoul, Korea |September 24, 1950 |Machine gunner |
P–Q
{{legend|#e3d9ff|This along with the {{KIA}}, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Name !Service !Rank !Place of action !Date of action !Notes |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |John U. D. Page{{KIA}}
|Army |Lieutenant Colonel |near Sudong-ni, Korea |December 10, 1950 |Also awarded Medal of Honor, for overall actions of November 29 to December 10, 1950 |
| Waller J. Parker
|Navy |Hospitalman |near Yudam-ni, Korea |November 29, 1950 | |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Donald L. Parks{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Second Lieutenant |Korea |May 6, 1952 |Pilot |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Earl F. Peach{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Sergeant |Korea |November 3, 1950 |Platoon runner |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Chester O. Penney Jr.{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Walter D. Phillips Jr.{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Captain |near Yudam-ni, Korea |November 27, 1950 |Company commander |
| Paul N. Polley
|Navy |Hospitalman |Korea |March 26–27, 1953 | |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Charles E. Pope{{KIA}}
|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 (first two were in occupation of Nicaragua, second two were in World War II) |
R
{{legend|#e3d9ff|This along with the {{KIA}}, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Name !Service !Rank !Place of action !Date of action !Notes |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Arlis W. Ramsay{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Sergeant |Korea |March 28, 1953 |Squad leader |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Robert J. Raymond{{KIA}}
|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 (first was in World War II) |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Clayton L. Roberts{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Charles V. Rust{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Corporal |Hill 673, Korea |September 12, 1951 |Fire team leader |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Howard Ryan{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Sergeant |Korea |October 7, 1952 |Squad leader |
S
{{legend|#e3d9ff|This along with the {{KIA}}, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
| class="wikitable sortable"
!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. |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Lloyd B. Smalley{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Sergeant |Korea |December 8, 1952 |Squad leader |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Billy D. Smith{{KIA}}
|Navy |Hospitalman |Korea |July 11–13, 1953 | |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |David E. Smith{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Sergeant |Korea |July 9, 1953 |Squad leader |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |H. J. Smith{{KIA}}
|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 | |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Charles R. Stapler{{KIA}}
|Navy |Commander |North Korea |June 9, 1951 |Night fighter pilot |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |James W. Stephen{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Dale L. Stropes{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Master Sergeant |near Yudam-ni, Korea |December 2, 1950 |Company gunnery sergeant |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |George S. Sulliman{{KIA}}
|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–V
{{legend|#e3d9ff|This along with the {{KIA}}, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Name !Service !Rank !Place of action !Date of action !Notes |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Kenneth E. Taft Jr.{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Francis R. Thomas Jr.{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Private First Class |Korea |October 27, 1952 |Fire team leader |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Will A. Thompson{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Staff Sergeant |Korea |October 6, 1952 |Platoon sergeant |
| John W. Thornton
|Navy |Lieutenant, Junior Grade |near Wonsan, Korea |March 31, 1951 |POW |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Gerald G. Tidwell{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Second Lieutenant |Hungnam, Korea |December 24, 1950 |Platoon leader |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Donald T. Toland{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Ernest J. Umbaugh{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Staff Sergeant |Koto-ri Pass, Korea |December 9, 1950 |Platoon sergeant |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Earl L. Valentine Jr.{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Second Lieutenant |Korea |August 25–26, 1952 |Platoon leader |
| Lucian L. Vestal
|Marine Corps |First Lieutenant |Korea |May 28, 1951 |Platoon leader |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Raymond W. Vogel Jr.{{KIA}}
|Navy |Commander |near Seoul, Korea |August 19, 1950 |Pilot |
W
{{legend|#e3d9ff|This along with the {{KIA}}, indicates that the Navy Cross was awarded posthumously|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
| class="wikitable sortable"
!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 | |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Stephen C. Walter{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Sergeant |Korea |July 17–18, 1953 |Squad leader |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Ralph L. Walz{{KIA}}
|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 | |
| E. Royce Williams
|Navy |Lieutenant |Sea of Japan, near the coast of north Korea |November 18, 1952 |Certificate issued on December 19, 2022 and Awarded on January 20, 2023 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Jack V. Williams{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Corporal |Hagaru-ri, Korea |December 6–7, 1950 |Machine gun squad leader. Armed with small arms he retrieved a marine machine gun that the Chinese had over ran and were using on US Marines. After getting other marines set up on the machine gun, he was killed returning to his own. |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Leslie C. Williams{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Loyd J. Wilson{{KIA}}
|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 |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |Vance O. Worster{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |Private First Class |Korea |October 26, 1952 | |
X–Z
| class="wikitable sortable"
!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 (first was in World War II) |
| style="background:#e3d9ff;" |George W. Yates{{KIA}}
|Marine Corps |First Lieutenant |Korea |April 8–9, 1953 |Platoon leader |
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{cite web |url=https://valor.defense.gov/ |title=Military Awards for Valor - Top 3 |publisher=U.S. Department of Defense |access-date=June 27, 2022}}
- Top 3 are: Medal of Honor; Distinguished Service Cross / Navy Cross / Air Force Cross; Silver Star
- this US DOD source only reports US Navy and US Marine Corps recipients of the Navy Cross
- {{cite web |url=https://homeofheroes.com/distinguished-service-cross/ |title=Service Cross |website=homeofheroes.com |access-date=June 28, 2022}}
- this long standing private source believes it is "99.9% complete" for all military, civilian and allied recipients of the Top 2 (above Silver Star)