Marine Corps Recipients of the Navy Cross - World War II

Navy Cross Awards to U.S. Marines in World War I

U.S. Marine Corps
Recipients Of
The Navy Cross

World War II
M - Z

1,033 Awards in WW2

Compiled & Edited
By

C. Douglas Sterner

Page 155

Navy Cross Awards to U.S. Marines in World War I

Navy Cross Awards
to
U.S. Marines

World War II
Part 2 - Last Names M - Z

Compiled & Edited
By

C. Douglas Sterner

Page 155

USMC Recipients of the Navy Cross World War II (M-Z)

World War II

*Madole, Eugene P.

Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve)

Marine Fighting Squadron 221 (VMF-221), Marine Air Group 22 (MAG-22), Naval Air Station, Midway

Date of Action: June 4, 1942

Citation:

The Navy Cross is presented to Eugene P. Madole, Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty as a Pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-221), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Battle of Midway, June 4, 1942. Delivering a dauntless and aggressive attack against a vastly superior number of Japanese bomber and fighter planes, Second Lieutenant Madole aided in disrupting the plans of the enemy and lessening the effectiveness of their attack, thereby contributing materially to the success of our forces. As a result of his courageous and daring tactics and because of the circumstances attendant upon this engagement, there can be little doubt that Second Lieutenant Madole gallantly gave up his life in the service of his country. He displayed the characteristics of an excellent airman in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

· Approved by the Secretary of the Navy on November 10, 1942

Born: at Las Vegas, New Mexico

Home Town: Long Beach, California

Magee, Christopher L.

First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve)

Marine Fighting Squadron 214 (VMF-214), Marine Air Group 11 (MAG-14), 1st Marine Air Wing

Date of Action: September 12 - October 22, 1943

Citation:

The Navy Cross is presented to Christopher L. Magee, First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism as a Pilot of a Fighter Plane attached to Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED FOURTEEN (VMF-214), operating against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area from September 12 to October 22, 1943. Displaying superb flying ability and fearless intrepidity, First Lieutenant Magee participated in numerous strike escorts, task force covers, fighter sweeps, strafing missions and patrols. As member of a division of four planes acting as task force cover on September 18, he daringly maneuvered his craft against thirty enemy dive bombers with fighter escorts and, pressing home his attack with skill and determination, destroyed two dive bombers and probably a third. During two subsequent fighter sweeps over Kahili Airdrome on October 17 - 18, he valiantly engaged superior numbers of Japanese fighters which attempted to intercept our forces and succeeded in shooting down five Zeros. The following day, volunteering to strafe Kara Airfield, Bougainville Island, he dived with one other plane through intense antiaircraft fire to a 40-foot level in a strafing run, leaving eight enemy aircraft blazing. First Lieutenant Magee's brilliant airmanship and indomitable fighting spirit contributed to the success of many vital missions and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

· SPOT AWARD, Serial 00164 (SofN Signed September 29, 1944)

Born: at Omaha, Nebraska

Home Town: Chicago, Illinois

Maghakian, Victor

Platoon Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps

2d Marine Raider Battalion

Date of Action: August 17 - 18, 1942

Citation:

The Navy Cross is presented to Victor Maghakian, Platoon Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Platoon Sergeant while a member of the Second Marine Raider Battalion during action against the Japanese-held island of Makin on August 17 - 18, 1942. Leading his platoon with great skill and determination, Platoon Sergeant Maghakian charged the beachhead with the landing force and was the first casualty in this operation. After receiving first aid, he returned to the front and remained there, courageously leading his men until directed by the Medical Officer to return to the rear. His gallant devotion to duty and complete disregard for his own personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

· Approved by the Secretary of the Navy on November 21, 1942

Home Town: Big Creek, California

*Mahannah, Martin E.

Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve)

Marine Fighting Squadron 221 (VMF-221), Marine Air Group 22 (MAG-22), Naval Air Station, Midway

Date of Action: June 4, 1942

Citation:

The Navy Cross is presented to Martin E. Mahannah, Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty as a Pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-221), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Battle of Midway, June 4, 1942. Delivering a dauntless and aggressive attack against a vastly superior number of Japanese bomber and fighter planes, Second Lieutenant Mahannah aided in disrupting the plans of the enemy and lessening of the effectiveness of their attack, thereby contributing materially to the success of our forces. As a result of his courageous and daring tactics and because of the circumstances attendant upon this engagement, there can be little doubt that Second Lieutenant Mahannah gallantly gave up his life in the service of his country. He displayed the characteristics of an excellent airman in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

· Approved by the Secretary of the Navy on November 10, 1942

Born: at Wichita, Kansas

Home Town: Augusta, Kansas

*Mahoney, Thomas G.

First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve)

Company I, 3d Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division

Date of Action: February 21, 1945

Citation:

The Navy Cross is presented to Thomas G. Mahoney, First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of Company I attached to the Third Battalion, Twenty- Eighth Marines, Fifth Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 21 February 1945. Confronted by the intricate network of Japanese defenses which had immobilized his company at the base of Mount Suribachi, First Lieutenant Mahoney boldly defied the heavy mortar and rifle fire pouring down from volcano emplacements and the shattering machine-gun fire from the front and right flanks to lead two tanks into advantageous attack position forward of his front lines. Under the merciless slash of enemy bullets as the Japanese intensified the concentrated barrage, he placed himself ahead of the lines and, fully exposed to the enemy's view, rallied his platoons and led an inspiring assault against the hostile garrisons. Fighting indomitably, he spurred his men onward with such decisive valor that his units overran the Japanese strong points and gained an advance of approximately 400 yards, thereby enabling his force to cover the entire battalion front as it moved inexorably forward to aid in the ultimate capture of the mountain bastion. His brilliant leadership, daring tactics and gallant spirit of self-sacrifice throughout a critical period of the bitter hostilities reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Mahoney, his stouthearted Marines and the United States Naval Service.

· CinC Pac: Serial 31892 (July 5, 1945)

Born: at San Francisco, California

Home Town: San Francisco, California

Makstutis, John B.

Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps

Company I, 3d Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division

Date of Action: March 16, 1945

Citation:

The Navy Cross is presented to John B. Makstutis, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Rifle Platoon Leader of Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-Eighth Marines, Fifth Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 16 March 1945. When his platoon launched an attack on a strong enemy pocket of resistance which was holding up the Battalion with intense flanking fire, Sergeant Makstutis led two tanks up to the pocket and directed their fire. After judging the area neutralized, he moved his platoon up and assaulted the hostile positions, forcing the Japanese to scatter and move to three large emplacements where they blew themselves up thereby enabling our troops to move forward rapidly. Prior to the third explosion, Sergeant Makstutis was seriously wounded. By his courage and initiative, Sergeant Makstutis contributed materially to the success of the operation, and his devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

· SPOT AWARD, FMF Pac: Serial 43822 (SofN Signed January 26, 1948)

Born: at Exeter, Pennsylvania

Home Town: Exeter, Pennsylvania

*Malanowski, Anthony P.

Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps

Company A, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division

Date of Action: September 27, 1942

Citation:

The Navy Cross is presented to Anthony P. Malanowski, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty while attached to the First Platoon, Company A, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces near Point Cruz, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on September 27, 1942. With utter disregard for his own personal safety, Platoon Sergeant Malanowski, in the face of heavy machine gun, rifle and mortar fire, valiantly covered the withdrawal of his company, inflicting severe losses on the Japanese, until he, himself, was overrun and killed by the enemy. His heroic fighting spirit and unyielding loyalty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

· SPOT AWARD (1942), Serial 0266a (SofN Signed April 23, 1943

Born: at Baltimore, Maryland

Home Town: Baltimore, Maryland

Mallory, Donald L.

First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve)

Company E, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division

Date of Action: September 15 & 16, 1944

Citation:

The Navy Cross is presented to Donald L. Mallory, First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of Company E, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, 15 and 16 September 1944. Although wounded while leading an assault across the southern edge of an airstrip, First Lieutenant Mallory steadfastly refused to be evacuated and, returning to the foremost elements of his company, gallantly led an attack which forced the enemy back another three hundred yards before dark. Throughout the night, and with the Japanese launching almost continuous counterattacks, he personally supervised his men from a position in the midst of the bitter fighting. On the following morning, when his tank-infantry attack was temporarily broken up by direct fire from hostile artillery, he boldly joined the forward elements of the company to coordinate their efforts and encourage them to hold their ground until supporting counter-battery fire could be brought to bear on the enemy weapons. During this action, he was again wounded and had to be evacuated. By his fortitude, aggressive fighting spirit and unselfish devotion to duty throughout, First Lieutenant Mallory upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

· SPOT AWARD, FMF Pac: Serial 6881

Born: at Bridgeport, Connecticut

Home Town: Bridgeport, Connecticut

Manahan, Merle E.

Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve)

Company B, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division

Date of Action: September 19, 1944

Citation:

The Navy Cross is presented to Merle E. Manahan, Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism while serving as a Machine Gunner of Company B, First Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on enemy-held Peleliu, Palau Islands, 19 September 1944. During an attack against a coral ridge when leading elements of the company were pinned down by an enemy machine gun which was strongly entrenched and well-concealed in a cave, Private First Class Manahan observed the situation while firing a support mission and, without orders, displaced his gun forward and advanced in the face of heavy hostile mortar, machine-gun and rifle fire until he found an exposed position from which he could observe the Japanese automatic weapon. When his gun crew became casualties, Private First Class Manahan manned his gun alone and, although wounded our times, maintained a steady volume of fire at point-blank range until he silenced the enemy weapon. By his determined efforts, he enabled the successful continuation of the attack, and his courage, initiative and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

· SPOT AWARD, FMF Pac: Serial 00597

Born: at Huntsville, Ohio

Home Town: DeGraff, Ohio

Mangrum, Richard C.

Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps

Marine Scout-Bombing Squadron 232 (VMSB-232)

Date of Action: August 20 - September 15, 1942

Citation:

The Navy Cross is presented to Richard C. Mangrum, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Leader of Marine Scout-Bombing Squadron TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-TWO (VMSB-232), in the Solomon Islands Area against enemy forces from August 20 to September 15, 1942. Commanding a Navy and Marine Corps striking force of sixteen planes, Lieutenant Colonel Mangrum intercepted and attacked an enemy task force of surface craft which was planning to attack our beachhead on Guadalcanal. Striking with lightening-like precision, his planes dropped all their bombs before the enemy surface craft could initiate evasive action, making a direct hit on the largest transport, blasting men and debris into the water, and setting the ship on fire. After a cruiser was also hit and left burning, later to disappear, the Japanese were forced to withdraw and abandon their mission. Lieutenant Colonel Mangrum's high quality of leadership and the aggressive spirit of his command in action contributed in large measure to the success achieved by our forces and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

· Approved by the Secretary of the Navy on January 16, 1943