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Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain John Benjamin Creel, Jr. (MCSN: 0-89621), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as the Commanding Officer of Headquarters Battery, First Battalion, Thirteenth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade. Early on the morning of 23 February 1969, Captain Creel’s unit was occupying a defensive position near DaNang in Quang Nam Province when the Marines came under an intense ground attack by approximately thirty North Vietnamese Army soldiers utilizing hand grenades, automatic weapons, satchel charges, and anti-tank rockets, severely wounding several Marines. Rapidly assessing the situation, Captain Creel unhesitatingly moved to the point of heaviest contact, and realizing that the hostile force had penetrated the perimeter defenses, he boldly maneuvered about the fire-swept terrain shouting words of encouragement to his men and rallying them to the defense. Fearlessly leading a group of determined Marines, he isolated the enemy inside the perimeter and, engaging them with rifle fire and hand grenades, killed several of the North Vietnamese soldiers. Aware that a number of wounded Marines were lying dangerously exposed to enemy fire and that other disabled men were trapped inside burning buildings, Captain Creel disregarded the hostile rounds impacting near him as he courageously led a rescue party to evacuate the casualties to positions of relative safety. Organizing damage control teams to extinguish the flaming structures, he continued his determined efforts as he moved among his men providing encouragement and supervising the redistribution of ammunition. At daybreak, he led a contingent of Marines forward of his command post area, locating and killing two additional North Vietnamese Army soldiers. His heroic and selfless actions contributed significantly to the defeat of the hostile force and were instrumental in saving the lives of several Marines. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Captain Creel upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    9th Marines

    Action Date:

    September 9, 1965

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain John Benjamin Creel, Jr. (MCSN: 0-89621), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as the Artillery Forward Observer attached to Company A, First Battalion, Ninth Marines in the Republic of Vietnam. On 9 September 1965, Company A was suddenly subjected to intense small arms, automatic weapons, recoilless rifle and mortar fire delivered by insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces. When one of his team members was hit by fire, Second Lieutenant Creel unhesitatingly disregarded his own safety as he leapt from his position and went to the wounded Marine’s aid. While so exposed, he and the other remaining team member were also wounded. Ignoring his own painful wound, Second Lieutenant Creel boldly assisted his team members in reaching an area from which they could be further evacuated. Courageously refusing to be evacuated himself, Second Lieutenant Creel remained resolutely at his position and ably directed artillery fire until he was relieved by another team three hours later. These fires proved to be highly effective, disrupting the Viet Cong attack and inflicting heavy casualties on them. By his calm courage, exceptional professional ability and inspiring devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Creel upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.