Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Navy and Marine Corps Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Seaman

    Division:

    U.S.S. Herbert J. Thomas (DD-833)

    Action Date:

    December 5, 1950

    Board Serial 689 (June 29, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Seaman Joseph B. Bull, United States Navy, for extreme and heroic daring in endangering his own life to save the life of Lieutenant Commander D. M. Craig, USN, from the perils of the sea. Upon observing two helpless men in the icy waters off the east coast of Korea on 5 December 1950, Seaman Bull unhesitatingly went over the side of the U.S.S. HERBERT J. THOMAS (DD-833) without a life jacket and in the face of a rough sea, and passed a line around Lieutenant Commander Craig, so that he could be hauled to safety. The exceptional bravery displayed by Seaman Bull in effecting this dramatic rescue reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.