Truth, Lies and In Between

12June.

Our first is from World War I.

These next two are interesting, in that they were awarded both the Navy Cross and the Distinguished Service Cross. The Marines were attached to the Army’s 2^nd Infantry Division in WWI which would be likely the reason behind both awards. There are actually quite a few of these. As you’ll notice, they state the action occurred at Bois-de-Belleau, aka: Belleau Woods.

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Edward Fuller
Place of birth: Hamilton, Va.
Home of record: Hamilton, Va.
Edward Fuller graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1916.

Navy Cross
Awarded for actions during the World War I

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Captain Edward Canfield Fuller (MCSN: 0-2395), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 6th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action in the attack on Bois-de-Belleau, France, 12 June 1918. While fearlessly exposing himself in an artillery barrage for the purpose of getting his men into a position of security in the attack on Bois-de-Belleau, Captain Fuller was killed and thereby gave his life in an effort to protect his men.

Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Captain

Distinguished Service Cross
Awarded for actions during the World War I

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain Edward Canfield Fuller (MCSN: 0-2395), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action in the attack on Bois-de-Belleau, France, 12 June 1918. While fearlessly exposing himself in an artillery barrage for the purpose of getting his men into a position of security in the attack on Bois-de-Belleau, Captain Fuller was killed and thereby gave his life in an effort to protect his men.

Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Captain
War Department, General Orders No. 99 (1919)

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Roy Simpson
Place of birth: Philadelphia, Pa.
Home of record: Philadelphia, Pa.

Distinguished Service Cross
Awarded for actions during the World War I

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private Roy Hobson Simpson (MCSN: 81727), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Forty-Seventh Company, Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action during the attack on the Bois-de-Belleau, France, 12 June 1918. Private Simpson carried a message from Battalion to Company headquarters directly across the face of enemy fire. Shot through the chest he continued running and called out, “I must deliver this message,” struggling forward for 50 feet more in his heroic effort to carry out his mission before falling dead.

Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Private
War Department, General Orders No. 53 (1920)

Navy Cross
Awarded for actions during the World War I

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Private Roy Hobson Simpson (MCSN: 81727), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 47th Company, 5th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action during the attack on the Bois-de-Belleau, France, 12 June 1918. Private Simpson carried a message from Battalion to Company headquarters directly across the face of enemy fire. Shot through the chest he continued running and called out, “I must deliver this message,” struggling forward for 50 feet more in his heroic effort to carry out his mission before falling dead.

Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Private

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There are no awards for action on this day in World War II.

From the Korean War.

Henry Svehla
Home of record: Essex, N.J.

Distinguished Service Cross

Awarded for actions during the Korean War

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Henry Svehla (ASN: RA-21748254), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Private First Class Svehla distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Pyongony, Korea, on 12 June 1952. Committed to determine enemy strength and capabilities on key terrain, Private Svehla’s platoon forged up the rocky slope. Coming under heavy automatic-weapons and small-arms fire, the troops began to falter. Realizing the success of the mission was imperiled, Private Svehla charge forward, firing his weapon and throwing grenades. The men, rallying to the challenge, joined in the assault against a numerically superior foe and inflicted numerous casualties. Although wounded by a mortar burst, Private Svehla refused medical treatment and continued to lead the attack. During the ensuing conflict, an enemy grenade fell in the midst of the group. While attempting to dispose of the grenade to protect his comrades from injury which might result from the explosion of the grenade, Private Svehla lost his life.

Service: Army
Rank: Private First Class
Department of the Army: General Orders No. 18 (February 18, 1953)

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Atsuo Miura

Distinguished Service Cross

Awarded for actions during the Korean War

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Corporal Atsuo Miura, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. Corporal Miura distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Karhyon-ni, Korea, on 12 June 1952. Attacking a stubbornly defended hill, the 2d platoon of Company F was halted near a trench at the top of the slope by small-arms and grenade fire. The’ platoon was forced to withdraw approximately fifty yards. Corporal Miura voluntarily left his sheltered position and, armed only with a pistol and bayonet, started back up the hill in the face of intense fire, picking up enemy grenades en route. Reaching the enemy trench, he threw grenades into it, driving the enemy into their bunkers. Jumping into the trench, he tossed grenades into the bunkers. When a comrade came to his aid with a flame-thrower, they cleared the emplacement, thus enabling the platoon to move up. As they were rejoining the platoon at the crest of the hill, a concussion grenade fell between Corporal Miura and his platoon sergeant. Corporal Miura threw his helmet on the grenade and flung himself on the helmet. The force of the explosion shattered the helmet and momentarily stunned him. On recovering, he pursued and captured the enemy soldier who had thrown the grenade.

Service: Army
Rank: Corporal
Department of the Army: General Orders No. 30 (March 26, 1953)

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These are from the Vietnam War.

Air Force Cross

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

Lawrence Holland
Date of birth: 1 May 1934
Place of birth: Redlands, Calif.
Home of record: Alhambra, Calif.

Lawrence Holland was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Listed as Missing in Action after being hit by hostile fire in the action that earned him the Air Force Cross, his remains have never been recovered.

Air Force Cross

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pride in presenting the Air Force Cross (Posthumously) to Major Lawrence Thomas Holland (AFSN: 0-57577/AO3053687), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force in Southeast Asia while serving as Pilot of an F100D Supersabre of the 615th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action in Southeast Asia, on 12 June 1965. On that date, Major Holland led a flight of F-100 aircraft against a heavily defended area which had been captured by the Viet Cong. He was directed to destroy automatic weapons positions and structures within the target area. Major Holland led his flight on one low level attack and destroyed a significant gun position. However, heavily concentrated automatic weapons fire from several other ground positions was reported. With complete disregard for his personal safety and despite the withering ground fire, Major Holland continued the attack and delivered his ordnance directly on target. His outstanding dedication to duty, superior initiative, and mission performance resulted in the destruction of numerous hostile ground positions of vital significance to the Viet Cong. Major Holland’s courage and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the American fighting man. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, and in dedication of his service to his country, Major Holland reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Service: Air Force
Rank: Major

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Carlos McAfee
Date of birth: 26 Oct. 1933
Home of record: Oklahoma City, Okla.

Carlos McAfee graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1955. He retired as a U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel.

Navy Cross

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Carlos K. McAfee (MCSN: 0-67830), United States Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism while serving as Assistant Advisor to the Fifth Battalion, Vietnamese Marine Brigade in operations against the communist insurgents (Viet Cong) in the Republic of Vietnam on 12 June 1966. Captain McAfee was with the leading elements of the battalion when it became heavily engaged with a main force enemy unit. One rifle company and the Battalion Command Group were overwhelmed by an enemy assault, resulting in the deaths of the Battalion Commander, the Senior Battalion Advisor, the forward artillery observer, and many other Vietnamese officers and men. Captain McAfee, the only American remaining, was instrumental in reforming the shattered command and organizing the defense. He requested tactical air support, and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, stationed himself under the direct fire of the enemy in order to direct and adjust air strikes and artillery fire. Despite continued enemy fire of automatic weapons, machine guns, mortars and grenades, Captain McAfee directed the medical evacuation helicopters into his area to receive wounded. He moved continually between the helicopter landing area and the defense perimeter, directing the medical evacuation and adjusting air strikes and artillery support. After three hours of intense fighting, reinforcements arrived and were led by Captain McAfee on a counterattack. Through his valiant efforts, he prevented the possible annihilation of a Marine battalion by a numerically superior enemy force, and his courageous direction of the medical evacuation undoubtedly saved many lives. Captain McAfee’s selfless devotion to duty, quick acceptance of responsibility, and great personal courage reflected credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Service: Marine Corps Reserve
Rank: Captain
Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals

There are no awards on this day for the Desert Storm, OIF, or OEF.