Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    5th Marines

    Division:

    1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF

    Action Date:

    November 1, 1968

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant John C. White, III (MCSN: 0-103886), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company H, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 1 November 1968, Company H was conducting a search and destroy operation near Le Nam in Quang Nam Province when the Marines came under a heavy volume of small arms fire from a North Vietnamese Army unit occupying well-concealed positions and sustained several casualties. Reacting instantly, First Lieutenant White established a base of fire, and when his men had achieved fire superiority over the hostile force, he skillfully maneuvered them across the fire-swept terrain to evacuate the wounded Marines. Disregarding the enemy rounds impacting about him, he moved from one position to another, shouting words of encouragement to his men and directing their accurate suppressive fire upon the North Vietnamese force. While removing one of the casualties from the hazardous area, First Lieutenant White was mortally wounded. His heroic actions and aggressive leadership inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his company defeating the North Vietnamese unit and inflicting heavy casualties upon the hostile soldiers. By his courage, bold initiative and unfaltering devotion to duty, First Lieutenant White upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.