Navy Federal Credit Union

Dr. Shank was a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve, serving in capacity as a civilian physician at Wake Island. Captured after the fall of Wake Island, he was executed on October 7, 1943, along with 97 other civilian defense workers. He was nominated for the Medal of Honor, which was downgraded to the Navy Cross, presumably because of his status as a civilian. He is the ONLY U.S. Civilian ever awarded the Navy Cross.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Civilian

    Rank:

    Dr.

    Division:

    Naval Air Station, Wake Island

    Action Date:

    December 9, 1941

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Dr. Lawton E. Shank (U.S. Army Reserve), a United States Civilian, for extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy as Physician to American Contractors, Naval Air Station, Wake Island, while associated with the naval defenses on Wake Island on 9 December 1941. At about 1100, while in the camp hospital, during an intensive bombing and strafing attack in the course of which the hospital was completely destroyed and several persons therein killed or wounded, Doctor Shank remained at his post and supervised the evacuation of the patients and equipment. With absolute disregard for his own safety, and displaying great presence of mind, he was thus enabled to save those still living and to establish a new hospital in an empty magazine. Doctor Shank’s display of outstanding courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.