Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Action Date:

    March 1944 – May 1945

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant John Paul Austin (NSN: 0-126191), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as an Intelligence Officer on the Staff of Commander, Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons, SEVENTH Fleet, from March 1944 to May 1945. During this period he planned and executed intelligence missions which contributed greatly to the success of PT operations in the blockading and destroying of Japanese shipping in the Southwest Pacific Area. On several occasions he landed behind Japanese lines in New Britain to collect information from coast watchers, carried supplies to them and received enemy prisoners and Allied fliers forced down on the island. From July to September 1944, in the Sansapor area of New Guinea, he made landings along the enemy’s evacuation route from Manokquri to Sarong, capturing documents and material of considerable intelligence value. In February 1945, with the cooperation of Filipino guerrilla forces, he assisted in planning and supervising installation of two advance fueling stations in northern Luzon, thereby extending PT patrol areas. When an enemy drive threatened the station at Santiago Bay, he passed through Japanese lines with guerrilla guides to find a suitable location for ambush. He then accompanied two PTs to Solvec Cove, where a Japanese concentration was brought under fire, resulting in fifty-three dead according to guerrilla count. His resourcefulness, sound judgment and untiring devotion to duty were accompanied by cool determination in the face of enemy resistance. He voluntarily participated in forty-five combat patrols, during many of which he was under enemy fire, and made reconnaissance flights over enemy territory in order to plot possible PT targets. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Austin is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)