Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    22d Marines

    Division:

    6th Marine Division

    Action Date:

    May 14, 1945

    Commander in Chief, Pacific: Serial 36928 (November 8, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Donald G. Golar (MCSN: 839074), United States Marine Corps, for gallantry and intrepidity as Leader of a Machine Gun Section of Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-second Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on the island of Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Group, 14 May 1945. Blanketed by a terrific concentration of enemy fire which inflicted heavy casualties during the advance platoon’s assault on Sugar Loaf Hill, Corporal Golar was ordered by his platoon leader to withdraw from a temporarily established machine-gun position. Requesting and receiving permission to select certain men and remain on the line covering the withdrawal of the remnants of the platoon, he fought a valiant battle and, after an orderly withdrawal had been effected, courageously insisted on standing by with the platoon leader to cover the retirement of the last few machine gunners. Maintaining a steady stream of fire against the Japanese hill until he fell, mortally wounded, Corporal Golar materially assisted in the evacuation of his platoon from the field of battle and, by his heroic actions and self-sacrificing devotion to his comrades, valiantly upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.