Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Navy and Marine Corps Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Action Date:

    October 9, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant Commander Kenneth S. Brown (NSN: 0-81344), United States Navy, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy. On 9 October 1944 at about 4:50 p.m., Lieutenant Commander Brown was a passenger and senior line officer on the 40′ Norfolk Navy Yard Motor Boat Number 16050 which was proceeding on a regularly scheduled trip from the Norfolk Navy Yard to the Navy Landing, York Street, Norfolk Virginia. The weather at that time was clear, cold and almost calm. Said boat was at aforesaid time in collision with the commercial ferry WESTPOINT owned by Norfolk County Ferries, Portsmouth, Virginia, at a point near the center of the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River approximately opposite from the Norfolk Navy Yard 350 ton crane. A number of passengers on said boat, including Lieutenant Commander Brown passed from the boat to the ferry at the time of the impact. A number of other passengers on said boat entered or were caused to enter the water, including Lieutenant Commander John H. Alexander, Supply Corps, U.S. Naval Reserve, who was seriously injured and in distress and calling for help. Lieutenant Commander Brown, who had reached safety on the ferry, jumped into the cold water from the ferry, which was then still in motion, reached Lieutenant Commander Alexander, supported him in the water, towed him to some life preservers, and sustained him on them until picked up by a small boat.