Mathew Caruso was a clerk in Headquarters and Service Company for Navy Chaplain, Father Cornelius Griffin. When the Marines moved forward and Chaplain Griffin knew the unit would be going into major combat action in North Korea, and knowing that Caruso was expecting the couple’s first child within weeks, he transferred Caruso from his staff so he could remain behind in relative safety. Before the battalion moved out, however, Caruso ran into Father Griffin and was literally in tears, believing he had been fired by the chaplain. Father Griffin relented and, on December 6, 1950, during an enemy ambush, Caruso shielded the chaplain with his own body. Although Griffin was seriously wounded, his life was saved by the young assistant. Caruso’s son was born six days after his father was killed in action. Caruso’s brother subsequently enlisted in the Marines, and, in 1955 when MathewÕs body was repatriated, his brother escorted the body by train from San Francisco to Connecticut. After Father GriffinÕs recovery, Caruso’s wife visited him so he could see young Danny Caruso. Father Griffin was subsequently instrumental in dedication of the Caruso Memorial Chapel which was built at Camp Pendleton.