Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Batallion:

    5th Engineer Battalion

    Division:

    5th Marine Division

    Action Date:

    March 4, 1945

    Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 59434 (August 2, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Paul L. Boertlein (MCSN: 884263), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an Assistant Squad Leader of Company B, Fifth Engineer Battalion, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 4 March 1945. Although wounded during the earlier part of the operation, Corporal Boertlein refused evacuation and, when subsequently assigned the mission of destroying a dual-purpose gun position, made his way through enemy fire to place a charge which demolished the position. Discovering that the explosion had opened a room sheltering five Japanese, he opened fire, destroying all of them. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Corporal Boertlein and the United States Naval Service.