Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    5th Marines

    Division:

    1st Marine Division (Rein.)

    Action Date:

    December 6 & 7, 1950

    Authority: Board of Awards: Serial 658 (July 14, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Sergeant Andrew F. Dunay (MCSN: 299872), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Section Leader, attached to the First Platoon, Company E, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces near Hagaru-ri, Korea, on 6 and 7 December 1950. Immediately following a fierce hostile attack which carried the enemy into the company positions, Sergeant Dunay checked the post of each of his men and, finding one of his rocket launcher operators knocked down by the impact of a grenade, skillfully manned the weapon in order to maintain maximum fire power at this strategic point. Undeterred by the lack of protective emplacements, he plunged forward to a better firing position on higher ground in front of both lines and, standing fully exposed to intense hostile grenade and automatic weapons fire, effectively discharged his launcher at the enemy, killing at least twenty. Although suffering from painful facial burns received from the propellant of his weapon each time he fired in the sub-zero weather, he rushed to the defense of a machine gun which was in danger of being outflanked and overrun by the onrushing enemy and, when his rocket launcher failed to operate, employed rockets as hand grenades, thereby repulsing the aggressive and determined hostile assault. By his daring initiative, indomitable fighting spirit and inspiring devotion to duty during a serious crisis, Sergeant Dunay contributed materially to the defense of one of the main approaches to Hagaru-ri, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.