Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    5th Marines

    Division:

    1st Marine Division

    Action Date:

    May 8, 1945

    Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 61534

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant James G. Dionisopoulos (MCSN: 0-39106), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Leader of Company B, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 8 May 1945. Assuming command of his rifle platoon after the Leader was wounded and evacuated during an intense enemy attack, Second Lieutenant Dionisopoulos exposed himself to the exploding shells to investigate each of his guns, giving encouragement to his men and repairing the weapons when necessary. While reorganizing his platoon, he learned that the crewmen of a machine gun in a key position were all casualties and, immediately putting the gun into action, fired on the advancing enemy until another crew was available to take over the position. Reorganizing for a second attack after repelling the Japanese, he braved hostile cross-fire in order to place his men in an effective firing position, thereby repulsing two more hostile counterattacks without further casualties to his platoon. His leadership, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.