Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Joseph Edward Bogdan (MCSN: 556791), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as a Squad Leader, serving with Company E, Second Battalion, Twenty-Ninth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu islands, 17 May 1945. Heedless of a painful wound sustained as he was leading his men in a bitter assault against the fiercely defended Japanese entrenched on Sugar Loaf Hill, Private First Class Bogdan gallantly persevered in the attack to achieve his objective. Grimly determined to hold the hard-won position against an expected enemy counter-attack, he refused evacuation and, spotting a rush forming toward the unguarded left flank of his lines, valiantly crawled into a hail of hostile small-arms fire to stem the attack from exposed terrain although wounded a second time while moving into position. Weakened from loss of blood, he staunchly continued to pour devastating fire against the onrushing Japanese to kill four before he received a third, and fatal wound. By his indomitable fighting spirit, unfaltering devotion to duty and complete disregard for his own safety, Private First Class Bogdan contributed materially to the success of the mission, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

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