Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Gunner’s Mate Third Class

    Division:

    U.S.S. Spence (DD-512)

    Action Date:

    November 1 – 2, 1943

    Commander South Pacific: Serial 00162 (January 14, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Gunner’s Mate Third Class Raymond Bradshaw, Jr., United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity and fearlessness in action, on board the U.S.S. SPENCE (DD-512), during a night surface engagement with Japanese cruisers and destroyers on the night of 1 to 2 November 1943. During this action the Task Force, of which the U.S.S. SPENCE was an attacking unit, destroyed five enemy surface craft, encountered and set on fire, damaged, and routed the remainder of the Japanese forces. By his courage and fearlessness in entering a compartment partially flooded by an enemy 8-inch shell hit, manning the abandoned Number 3 lower handling room, sealing himself with three other men beneath the flooding compartment, and hand operating the electric hoist, he maintained a steady supply of ammunition to the after 5-inch guns, during the night of the engagement. His conduct throughout the action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.