Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Sergeant Orville E. Pfannkuch (MCSN: 301928), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Medium Tank Commander of Company C, Fourth Tank Battalion, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Tinian, Mariana Islands, 31 July 1944. Though his tank had been damaged by six hits from an unseen antitank gun of heavy caliber, and he had been given permission to withdraw for repairs, Corporal Pfannkuch continued to advance in a search for the gun. When another tank in the vicinity received several hits from the same weapon, he unhesitatingly attacked the position and succeeded in destroying the antitank gun and an entire enemy strong point in which it was located. By his heroism and cool courage in the face of heavy Japanese fire, Corporal Pfannkuch was instrumental in removing a serious obstacle to the advance of our forces in the area, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received