Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Batallion:

    4th Tank Battalion

    Division:

    4th Marines

    Action Date:

    February 19 – 24, 1945

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant James R. Haddix (MCSN: 446661), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Tank Commander and Gunner of Company C, Fourth Tank Battalion, FOURTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands from 19 to 24 February 1945. During his advance along the high ground between the first and second airfields, Sergeant Haddix observed a squad of infantry pinned down and in danger of annihilation from grenades being thrown by enemy troops from positions above friendly troops and immediately bringing accurate machine gun and cannon fire to bear on the hostile forces, pinned them down until another tank forced its way forward and reduced the Japanese positions. Later during a rain storm he worked his tank between enemy pill boxes and, despite poor visibility, shell holes and tank obstacles succeeded in neutralizing the hostile positions by firing into their ports, thereby enabling our own troops to occupy the area. While working his way further into enemy territory, Sergeant Haddix was seriously wounded by fire from an antitank gun which completely destroyed this tank. His skilled leadership, cool courage and unswerving devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.