Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    28th Marines

    Division:

    5th Marine Division

    Action Date:

    March 1, 1945

    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 353 (August 1946)

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Sam P. La Porte (NSN: 8688724), United States Navy, for gallantry in action while serving as a Corpsman (Attached) to a Rifle Company of the 2d Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 1 March 1945. Unhesitatingly rushing to the aid of a wounded Marine Scout after two other Corpsmen had fallen under the enemy’s fire, Pharmacists Mate Third Class La Porte fearlessly dashed across a level, exposed area raked by fire from flanking enemy positions and pulled the wounded man into a small defile where he administered first aid in an unsuccessful effort to save the Marine’s life. Promptly responding to another call for help from the extreme flank of the assault platoon, Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class La Porte, realizing that he was the only corpsman in the sector, again left cover and had proceeded about forty yards through devastating hostile machine gun fire when he was mortally wounded. His great personal valor and self-sacrificing devotion to duty in the face of grave peril reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.