Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    24th Marines

    Division:

    4th Marine Division

    Action Date:

    February 19, 1945

    Commander in Chief, Pacific: Serial 35750 (September 24, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Howard Ralph Pratt (MCSN: 418260), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an ammunition carrier in a mortar section of the First Battalion, Twenty-fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on 19 February 1945. Seeing that one of his comrades had been hit by shrapnel from an enemy mortar shell, Private First Class Pratt immediately ran to his aid and as another hostile barrage landed in the area threw himself across the wounded man’s body losing his own life to save the life of his comrade. His valiant spirit of self-sacrifice and heroic disregard for his own personal safety reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Pratt and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.