Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    22d Marines (Rein.), 1st Provisional Marine Brigade

    Division:

    III Amphibious Corps

    Action Date:

    July 21, 1944

    SPOT AWARD, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 00396 (February 6, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Private First Class Joseph V. Berault (MCSN: 429637), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company A, First Battalion, Fourth Marines (Reinforced), First Provisional Marine Brigade, Third Amphibious Corps, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Mariana Islands, 21 July 1944. During a hostile night attack with rifles, machine guns and hand grenades, Private First Class Berault defended his foxhole and, although hit in the mouth by an enemy grenade, quickly picked up the grenade and threw it back at the Japanese. Throwing out four grenades before he was severely wounded, he crawled to a hospital corpsman for first aid. When a grenade landed next to him while he was being treated, he put his foot on the grenade and shoved the corpsman out of danger from the explosion. Wounded again by the explosion, he was being pulled to safety by another Marine when he realized he was becoming a burden and asked to be left behind so that they could continue the fire fight. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Berault and the United States Naval Service.