Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class

    Division:

    4th Marine Division

    Action Date:

    February 19, 1945

    Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 44534 (June 15, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Cecil A. Bryan (NSN: 8783085), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Island, 19 February 1945, as a member of a shore party medical evacuation section of the FOURTH Marine Division on an assault beach. Landing early in the morning in an area being subjected to unusually severe enemy artillery and mortar fire, Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Bryan with complete disregard for his own safety, voluntarily exposed himself and moved to the side of a seriously injured Marine who had suffered a critical neck wound and was suffocating in his own blood. Working unassisted and unprotected from the shelling, he performed an operation which gave him air to survive. The casualties breathing having been restored and his life out of immediate danger, Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Bryan carried his safely through the enemy fire to the evacuation station. His outstanding presence of mind and assumption of grave responsibility on his own initiative at great personal risk saved the wounded man’s life. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.