Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Navy and Marine Corps Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class

    Division:

    U.S.S. Eversole (DE-404)

    Action Date:

    October 29, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Vito Thomas Accardi (NSN: 8147551), United States Navy, for outstanding heroism and devotion to duty in assisting wounded men from a damaged compartment of the U.S.S. EVERSOLE (DE-404) after it had been hit by two submarine torpedoes. When his ship the U.S.S. EVERSOLE was seriously damaged and sinking from enemy submarine torpedoes on 29 October 1944. during the Second Naval Battle of the Philippine Sea, Petty Officer Accardi immediately realized that the ship was sinking and the wounded men must be removed from the damaged compartment. Although suffering from shock and despite the immediate sinking of the ship, Petty Officer Accardi carried wounded men out of the compartment until he himself was trapped and went down with the ship. Due to Petty Officer Accardi’s self sacrifice many men were saved who otherwise would have perished. The courage, judgment, and devotion to duty displayed by Petty Officer Accardi reflect great credit on the United States Naval Service.