Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Navy and Marine Corps Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Motor Machinist’s Mate Third Class

    Division:

    U.S.S. Holder (DDE-819)

    Action Date:

    January 22, 1952

    Board Serial 259 (March 31, 1952

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Motor Machinist’s Mate Third Class Charles F. Brown (NSN: 2477289), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy. On 22 January 1952, the U.S.S. HOLDER (DDE-819( was moored port side to the Jetee Nords, Oran, Algeria. A sea wall was located approximately twenty-five yards from the HOLDER’s port side. By 1200 of 22 January, the weather in the outer harbor had become exceedingly rough, and waves were breaking over the sea wall continuously. The force of these waves beating upon an abandoned jeep on the pier, washed it over the side of the pier. Shortly thereafter a one-quarter ton truck, which had stalled on the pier, had its top smashed in, and it, too, was hurled over the side of the pier. At approximately 1230, one of the waves washed a man over the side of the pier, where he was handling lines, securing the bow of the U.S.S. NEW (DDE-818), a destroyer moored approximately fifty feet astern of the HOLDER> This man was later identified as Seaman William Ackerberg, U.S. Navy, U.S.S. NEW (DDE-818). Motor Machinist’s Mate Third Class Brown was on the fantail of the HOLDER at the time, and saw the man in the water about twenty feet from the stern of the HOLDER. At this time the waves breaking over the sea wall made it extremely dangerous for personnel on the main deck, and several destroyers parted lines because of the incessant pounding of the waves. The man in the water was stunned, and his improperly secured life jacket had started to come off. Motor Machinist’s Mate Third Class Brown, without hesitation, dove over the side and swam to Seaman Ackerberg. After Motor Machinist’s Mate Third Class Brown had fought his way back to the stern of the ship with the shocked and helpless man, life rings were thrown to him. When they reached the screw guards, a line was thrown over the side. Motor Machinist’s Mate Third Class Brown secured the line to the man he had rescued, who was then hauled aboard by the personnel on the fantail. After Motor Machinist’s Mate Third Class Brown was brought aboard, he was taken to the sick bay and treated for exposure. The condition of the sea was such that shortly thereafter all lines aft parted, and the HOLDER was forced to put out to sea.