Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    21st Marines

    Division:

    3d Marine Division

    Action Date:

    July 21 – August 10, 1944

    Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 00435

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain Gerald G. Kirby (MCSN: 0-10746), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-first Marines, THIRD Marine Division, during operations against enemy Japanese forces at Guam, Mariana Islands, from 21 July to 10 August 1944. Boldly exposing himself to direct hostile fire, Captain Kirby aggressively moved with his assault troops and skillfully directed the defense of his lines against repeated hostile night attacks. With his Company ordered to seize a ridge located above an almost inaccessible cliff, he ably maneuvered his troops up ropes to the enemy position while exposed to heavy hostile mortar and rifle fire and thereby aided materially in capturing this terrain before the Japanese could launch a counterattack. By his technical skill, courage and devotion to duty, Captain Kirby upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.