Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Master Sergeant Francis J. Bauer (MCSN: 257644), United States Marine Corps, for heroism in rescuing a man from drowning at the Marine Corps Air Facility, New River, Jacksonville, North Carolina, on 15 October 1954. While serving as Utilities Chief for Marine Observation Squadron ONE, Master Sergeant Bauer showed outstanding courage and determination in the rescue of an aged man. During the passage of a hurricane over the Air Facility accompanied by heavy driving rain and wind above 60 knots and increasing, a man was observed in a fishing boat about 400 yards off shore. The boat was anchored and the man was obviously in distress and unable to proceed. Seeing that the crash boats and other craft at the Air Facility dock had been hauled ashore and secured, Master Sergeant Bauer donned a life jacket and under conditions of great danger to himself, voluntarily dived from the dock into the violent gale-driven waves. With extreme difficulty he swam to the boat and proceeded to rescue the fisherman by rowing him ashore; a task which required the utmost skill, endurance and strength. The man, due to his advanced age and injured back, was helpless in the storm and would not have survived much longer it the face of the mounting hurricane. Master Sergeant Bauer’s heroic conduct in the face of great danger to himself was outstanding and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Batallion:

    1st Pioneer Battalion

    Division:

    1st Marine Division

    Action Date:

    October 14, 1942
    Commander South Pacific Force & Area: Serial 0069 (January 13, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Francis J. Bauer (MCSN: 257644), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands on 14 October 1942. At the time Company A of the First Pioneer Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, was under concentrated artillery fire, Corporal Bauer, on duty in our defensive line, was in charge of a left flank machine gun section. When one of the positions was blown up by a near hit and two men were badly injured, he carried them to the company aid station through two hundred yards of tremendous shellfire, then picked up a stretcher and ran back to assist in the removal of another wounded comrade. By his heroic conduct, maintained at great risk in the face of grave danger, he undoubtedly helped save the lives of three Marines who otherwise might have perished.