Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Navy and Marine Corps Medal

    Service:

    United States Coast Guard

    Rank:

    Ensign

    Action Date:

    May 21, 1944

    U.S. Coast Guard Historian’s Office

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Ensign John J. Friel, Jr., United States Coast Guard, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for outstanding heroism while attached to an U.S.S. LST on 21 May 1944, at West Loch Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, following an explosion. Returning from shore in a small boat he preceded to his ship amid falling debris and rescued a number of men trapped on one of the propeller guards then continued to rescue others from the water of the harbor. Without regard to danger or physical hardship he persisted in his efforts to save lives and property.