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Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit, in the Degree of Legionnaire to Sergeant Major Jacob C. Vouza, a native of Guadalcanal, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in the help he gave the Second Marine Raider Battalion as head of the Binu District of native police during operations against the Japanese on that island. Sergeant Major Vouza assumed responsibility of procuring and directing natives employed as guides and carriers. From 9 November to 4 December 1942 he voluntarily performed this task, obtaining both information and carriers, and by his coolness under fire and devotion to duty inspired both natives and Marines.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    Foreign

    Rank:

    Sergeant Major

    Division:

    1st Marine Division (Attached)

    Action Date:

    August 7, 1942

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Marine Corps Award) to Sergeant Major Jacob C. Vouza, British Solomon Islands Constabulary, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity during efforts in behalf of United States Armed Forces while serving with U.S. Marine Corps Forces in the British Solomon Islands. On 7 August 1942 Sergeant Major Vouza effected a daring rescue and delivered into friendly hands an officer of the United States Navy who had been shot down in Japanese territory during an aerial engagement. Again, on August 27, while proceeding on an authorized mission for the United States Marine Corps to locate suspected enemy lookout stations, he was seized by hostile troops and lashed to a tree, where, rather than break his faith or betray his trust, he submitted to brutal and fiendish torture. Severely bayoneted about the chest and throat and left for dead, Sergeant Major Vouza, with great strength and almost superhuman endurance, extricated himself from his bonds and made his way back to our lines with valuable information concerning the enemy Japanese.