Citation: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Wesley Eagle (560833), Private, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism as a Browning Automatic Rifleman and Fire Group Leader, serving with Company C, First Battalion, Twenty-Seventh Marines, Fifth Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 4 to 10 March 1945. Pinned down with his company by intense Japanese artillery, machine-gun and rifle fire which rendered evacuation of the wounded impossible, Private Eagle boldly ordered his fire group to attack, thus diverting the enemy fire until all casualties had been removed to safety. Severely wounded while advancing, he resolutely refused to be evacuated as he was the only Browning Automatic Rifleman left in his platoon. Wounded a second time while delivering rifle fire against the enemy, he again refused to be withdrawn until his fallen comrades had been evacuated. Consistently aggressive as his unit fought fiercely to break the hostile opposition, he took the initiative when his company was ordered to attack an enemy eight-inch gun supported by a blockhouse and pillboxes on 10 March, boldly leading his fire group in a flanking movement against one of the pillboxes and partially destroying it before he fell fatally wounded. By his dauntless leadership, bold tactics and indomitable fighting spirit, Private Eagle was an inspiration to his fellow Marines and his conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Citation: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Wesley Eagle (560833), Private, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism as a Browning Automatic Rifleman and Fire Group Leader, serving with Company C, First Battalion, Twenty-Seventh Marines, Fifth Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 4 to 10 March 1945. Pinned down with his company by intense Japanese artillery, machine-gun and rifle fire which rendered evacuation of the wounded impossible, Private Eagle boldly ordered his fire group to attack, thus diverting the enemy fire until all casualties had been removed to safety. Severely wounded while advancing, he resolutely refused to be evacuated as he was the only Browning Automatic Rifleman left in his platoon. Wounded a second time while delivering rifle fire against the enemy, he again refused to be withdrawn until his fallen comrades had been evacuated. Consistently aggressive as his unit fought fiercely to break the hostile opposition, he took the initiative when his company was ordered to attack an enemy eight-inch gun supported by a blockhouse and pillboxes on 10 March, boldly leading his fire group in a flanking movement against one of the pillboxes and partially destroying it before he fell fatally wounded. By his dauntless leadership, bold tactics and indomitable fighting spirit, Private Eagle was an inspiration to his fellow Marines and his conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Inscription
PVT, US MARINE CORPS WORLD WAR II
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
