Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class George L. Long (NSN: 8685716), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty while serving as a Medical Corpsman with a Rifle Company of the FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Iwo Jima in the Volcano islands. On 26 February 1945, although he was wounded, Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Long went up on a ridge under heavy fire to care for four wounded men. One was dead on arrival and a second may was killed by machine gun fire while Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Long was administering first aid to him. Hew rendered successful first aid to the two remaining men while under continuous fire and then dragged them back to a position where litter squads could carry them out. Refusing to leave the lines to seek medical attention for himself, he remained with his company through some of its hardest fighting. On several occasions he crawled out beyond the front lines and through machine gun fire lanes to attend wounded men and bring them back to safety. On 3 Marcy 1945, he was again wounded, this time in the leg, and was evacuated. Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Long’s repeated acts of outstanding courage were an example to the men of his company and were a factor in the success of the company. His outstanding courage was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received