Andrew Govel

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Andrew Govel (325129), Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company C, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Cape Gloucester, New Britain, 7 January 1944. Private First Class Govel was among those who pressed forward under shattering enemy fire when the rest of the company was pinned down by enemy machine-gun and sniper fire while making an envelopment of the enemy right flank. Realizing that his squad could neither advance nor withdraw to safety without severe loss, Private First Class Govel unhesitatingly placed himself in an exposed position and fired his Browning Automatic Rifle at the enemy, thereby drawing concentrated enemy fire to himself until he fell, mortally wounded. His cool courage in the face of certain death enabled his squad to withdraw without casualties and gave supreme evidence of his staunch devotion to duty. Private First Class Govel’s action was one of extraordinary valor and reflects the highest credit on the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

SPOT AWARD, Commander, 7th Fleet: Serial 1291 (SofN Signed September 13, 1944)