Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Navy and Marine Corps Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Division:

    U.S.S. Bunker Hill (CV-17)

    Action Date:

    April 21, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Donald W. Browne, Jr. (NSN: 187226), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and complete disregard for his personal safety as Officer-in-Charge of the Crash Crew and as Bomb Disposal Officer of the U.S.S. BUNKER HILL (CV-17), during a day of unusually heavy air operations in support of the invasion at Hollandia, New Guinea. On 21 April 1944, a torpedo bombing plane was required to make an emergency landing because of a serious hydraulic leak. The shock of the hard landing set off one of the three 100 pound incendiary clusters which failed to release when the pilot jettisoned his bombs. In the face of the fiercely burning incendiaries, he personally pried open the bomb bay doors and inserted a foam nozzle to extinguish the fire before the other bombs in the bomb bay could be ignited. His prompt action together with his forceful direction of the fire fighting crew, prevented what might have been a very serious fire. In addition he unhesitatingly defused and rendered safe three 250-pound bombs which had been thrown clear of the wing racks of bombing planes during hard landings and had bounced around the deck to such an extent that in two cases the tail fuses were so badly damaged that a shock may have caused the bomb to explode. His courage and skill prevented serious damage to the ship. His conduct throughout these emergencies was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.