Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Private Jay C. Blakely (MCSN: 232785), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Member of an Engineer Demolition Squad of Company A, First Engineer Battalion, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, on 15 September 1944. When a hostile tank, which was unable to advance during an intense counterattack against our lines, withdrew in reverse and continued to fire at our defending troops, Private Blakely immediately jumped on the enemy vehicle and, knocking the enemy turret gunner to the ground, dropped several hand grenades inside the tank, killing the rest of the crew and putting the tank out of operation, thereby saving the lives of many of his comrades who might have been annihilated by the tank fire. His outstanding courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received