Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Bernard W. Christofferson (MCSN: 0-43051), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Rifle Platoon Commander in Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces at Yudam-ni, Korea, during a pre-dawn attack on 28 November 1950. With his platoon under attack by an overwhelming hostile force and unable to dig in on the frozen, mountainous ridgeline, First Lieutenant Christofferson promptly organized a squad of his men when the fanatical enemy overran the heavy and light machine-gun positions and, before the weapons could be place din action against the remainder of his platoon, personally led a brilliantly executed attack in the face of intense grenade, mortar, automatic rifle and machine-gun fire to recapture the weapons and close the gap in the line. During the furious action, fought in sub-zero temperatures, he alone felled more than 20 of the approximately 250 enemy killed and wounded and, by his courageous leadership and superb tactics, inspired his men to continue the assault to retake and hold the objective, thereby making tenable the Battalion's right flank and establishing a successful defense. Throughout repeated attempts by the enemy to break through, First Lieutenant Christofferson moved from man to man under blistering shellfire, encouraging and redeploying the remaining members of his platoon as casualties occurred and directing their valiant efforts in crushing the attackers in each encounter and in preventing further infiltration. His indomitable fighting spirit, fortitude and unrelenting devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Christofferson and the United States Naval Service.
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Bernard W. Christofferson (MCSN: 0-43051), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Rifle Platoon Commander in Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces at Yudam-ni, Korea, during a pre-dawn attack on 28 November 1950. With his platoon under attack by an overwhelming hostile force and unable to dig in on the frozen, mountainous ridgeline, First Lieutenant Christofferson promptly organized a squad of his men when the fanatical enemy overran the heavy and light machine-gun positions and, before the weapons could be place din action against the remainder of his platoon, personally led a brilliantly executed attack in the face of intense grenade, mortar, automatic rifle and machine-gun fire to recapture the weapons and close the gap in the line. During the furious action, fought in sub-zero temperatures, he alone felled more than 20 of the approximately 250 enemy killed and wounded and, by his courageous leadership and superb tactics, inspired his men to continue the assault to retake and hold the objective, thereby making tenable the Battalion's right flank and establishing a successful defense. Throughout repeated attempts by the enemy to break through, First Lieutenant Christofferson moved from man to man under blistering shellfire, encouraging and redeploying the remaining members of his platoon as casualties occurred and directing their valiant efforts in crushing the attackers in each encounter and in preventing further infiltration. His indomitable fighting spirit, fortitude and unrelenting devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Christofferson and the United States Naval Service.
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Bernard W. Christofferson (MCSN: 0-43051), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Rifle Platoon Commander in Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces at Yudam-ni, Korea, during a pre-dawn attack on 28 November 1950. With his platoon under attack by an overwhelming hostile force and unable to dig in on the frozen, mountainous ridgeline, First Lieutenant Christofferson promptly organized a squad of his men when the fanatical enemy overran the heavy and light machine-gun positions and, before the weapons could be place din action against the remainder of his platoon, personally led a brilliantly executed attack in the face of intense grenade, mortar, automatic rifle and machine-gun fire to recapture the weapons and close the gap in the line. During the furious action, fought in sub-zero temperatures, he alone felled more than 20 of the approximately 250 enemy killed and wounded and, by his courageous leadership and superb tactics, inspired his men to continue the assault to retake and hold the objective, thereby making tenable the Battalion's right flank and establishing a successful defense. Throughout repeated attempts by the enemy to break through, First Lieutenant Christofferson moved from man to man under blistering shellfire, encouraging and redeploying the remaining members of his platoon as casualties occurred and directing their valiant efforts in crushing the attackers in each encounter and in preventing further infiltration. His indomitable fighting spirit, fortitude and unrelenting devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Christofferson and the United States Naval Service.
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Bernard W. Christofferson (MCSN: 0-43051), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Rifle Platoon Commander in Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces at Yudam-ni, Korea, during a pre-dawn attack on 28 November 1950. With his platoon under attack by an overwhelming hostile force and unable to dig in on the frozen, mountainous ridgeline, First Lieutenant Christofferson promptly organized a squad of his men when the fanatical enemy overran the heavy and light machine-gun positions and, before the weapons could be place din action against the remainder of his platoon, personally led a brilliantly executed attack in the face of intense grenade, mortar, automatic rifle and machine-gun fire to recapture the weapons and close the gap in the line. During the furious action, fought in sub-zero temperatures, he alone felled more than 20 of the approximately 250 enemy killed and wounded and, by his courageous leadership and superb tactics, inspired his men to continue the assault to retake and hold the objective, thereby making tenable the Battalion's right flank and establishing a successful defense. Throughout repeated attempts by the enemy to break through, First Lieutenant Christofferson moved from man to man under blistering shellfire, encouraging and redeploying the remaining members of his platoon as casualties occurred and directing their valiant efforts in crushing the attackers in each encounter and in preventing further infiltration. His indomitable fighting spirit, fortitude and unrelenting devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Christofferson and the United States Naval Service.
Gravesite Details
MAJ US MARINE CORPS; KOREA
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