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Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Robert Patrick Curran (MCSN: 0-16797), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while attached to the Second Battalion, Twenty-fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces at Saipan, Mariana Islands on 23 June 1944. Unhesitatingly volunteering to lead a patrol deep into enemy territory in an effort to wipe out Japanese snipers inflicting heavy casualties on our troops, First Lieutenant Curran daringly proceeded through the danger area with his 20 man squad and expeditiously located the strong point. Gallantly disregarding wounds received from a hostile sniper’s bullet he skillfully deployed his men into advantageous striking position and directed a relentless barrage against the enemy successfully evacuating casualties sustained by his unit during the fierce action and continuing the attack until his perilous mission was completed. Subsequently rejoining his company, First Lieutenant Curran, by his forceful leadership and dauntless courage maintained at great personal risk had contributed essentially to the success of our forces in capturing his vital hostile stronghold, and his zealous devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    25th Marines

    Division:

    4th Marine Division

    Action Date:

    February 27 – March 16, 1945
    SPOT AWARD, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 78805

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Robert Patrick Curran (MCSN: 0-16797), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of Company G, Second Battalion, Twenty-Fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 27 February to 16 March 1945. Still under medical treatment for previously sustained wounds, First Lieutenant Curran voluntarily assumed command of his unit on 27 February and reorganized a force seriously depleted and disrupted by heavy casualties. Assigned the mission of establishing contact with an adjacent Battalion on 12 March, he led his battle-weary troops in an enveloping movement against a well-organized and numerically superior enemy established on a commanding ridge. Although suffering from additional wounds, he placed himself in the immediate front lines and directed the assault on hostile caves, pillboxes, mortars, machine guns and riflemen, remaining at the head of his exhausted force until the Japanese positions had been completely overrun, and the defenders either killed or routed. Immediately continuing the advance, he established contact with the adjacent Battalion and participated in a subsequent attack which cleared the last remnants of the enemy from the Division’s zone of action. First Lieutenant Curran’s personal heroism and daring leadership in the face of overwhelming odds sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.