Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    22d Marines, 1st Provisional Marine Brigade

    Action Date:

    July 21, 1944

    Commander in Chief, Pacific: Serial 004202 (January 4, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Leonard A. Grabowski (MCSN: 517452), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous Gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the Second Battalion Twenty-second Marines, First Provisional Marine Brigade, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Guam, Mariana Islands, on 21 July 1944. With a number of his platoon wounded when his landing craft sustained three direct hits from an enemy anti-boat gun 150 yards from shore, Private First Class Grabowski promptly assumed command and directed the remaining effectives to continue to the assault beach. Valiantly remaining in the disabled craft, he worked tirelessly, administering first aid to the casualties and evacuating them to the control vessel. Then salvaging a weapon, he gallantly proceeded to the beach and, discovering that the others had advanced inland, pressed forward through enemy infested territory until he reached his platoon at the first company objective. Private First Class Grabowski’s aggressive leadership, his dauntless courage and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave peril contributed materially to the success of our forces in this area and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.