Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Action Date:

    September 1944

    Commander 8th Fleet: Serial 5989 (December 19, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Harold V. Brown (NSN: 0-70936), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commander of a division of minesweepers while engaged in sweeping operations off the Franco-Italian Rivera in September 1944. As officer in tactical command of a group engaged in sweeping a fire support channel off Menton, France, Lieutenant Commander Brown exercised great professional skill and ingenuity in the expert disposition of his ships so as to effect the prompt clearing of a safe channel for fire support ships. For five successive days, in spite of repeated close-range bombardment from hostile shore artillery, he coolly and capably supervised the sweeping operations, and on one occasion, when the formation was attacked by a group of twelve human torpedoes, with sound tactical judgment he directed the repelling of this attack without material or personal casualties to the ships of his unit. His inspiring leadership and fearless determination were largely responsible for the expeditious and successful sweeping of a safe channel from which naval gunfire could be effectively delivered against enemy installations. The extraordinary ability, cool and courageous action and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Commander Brown were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.