Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Navy and Marine Corps Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Chief Boatswain’s Mate

    Division:

    U.S.S. Macaw

    Action Date:

    February 13, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Chief Boatswain’s Mate Tom Emmet Brown (NSN: 3465261), United States Navy, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy. The U.S.S. MACAW was shipwrecked on 16 January 1944 on Midway Island and slid into deep water on 12 February 1944 about 2100. There was a 50 knot wind and very high seas. The seas were breaking well over the ship when personnel were forced to leave the pilot house on 13 February about 0230. Chief Brown, after leaving the pilot house, was washed overboard and out to sea. At sea, Chief Brown gathered the group of men together who had cleared the ship. These men were RT1c L. H. Mathers, QM2c H. H. Ehlers, EM2C C. H. Kumler, BM2C A. P. Koepke, BM2c C. Wainscott, Jr. and himself. Chief Brown had a hard time keeping them together as Koepke wanted them to let him go because he had no life jacket, but Chief Brown held on to him. Kumler was in a state of shock and eventually lost consciousness. Kumler would break loose from the group and Chief Brown would swim out and bring him back.