Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Division:

    S.S. Bellingham

    Action Date:

    June 4 – 7, 1942

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Willard W. Brown (NSN: 0-96056), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the United States Navy Armed Guard aboard the S.S. BELLINGHAM during aerial torpedo attacks upon that vessel by enemy German forces, 4 to 7 June 1942. Putting up a desperate fight to disrupt viciously persistent raids upon the convoy on 4 July, the gun crew, under vigilant direction of Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Brown opened up a terrific barrage against two torpedo bombers running straight for the BELLINGHAM. Following one all the way down in a blazing crash, they set the other afire after it had dropped four torpedoes, then drove it out of the sky in a flaming dive. In subsequent attacks on 7 July, the vessel was struck by a torpedo which cracked a bulkhead but failed to explode. Later the same day a lone raider leveled off to drop three bombs twenty yards astern and rake the deck with cannon fire, exploding an ammonia tank and wounding one member of the crew. By his courageous conduct and tenacious devotion to duty, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Brown contributed to the aggressive fighting spirit which enabled the BELLINGHAM to survive a hazardous voyage with negligible damage to herself and minimum casualty to her crew. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.