Dennis E. Youngblood

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Dennis E. Youngblood (832563), Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Headquarters and Service Battery, Fourth Battalion, Tenth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Marianas Islands, 7 July 1944. When enemy forces overran an adjacent artillery battalion during a counterattack, Private First Class Youngblood volunteered to go forward to help stem the attack and evacuate the wounded. Repeatedly exposing himself to hostile fire, he put the wounded on a sheet of tin and dragged them one by one to safety. Then, working his way forward of the lines to a Japanese bunker, he placed his automatic rifle in a commanding position and, despite intense fire, killed approximately forty of the enemy. His courage, fighting spirit and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Youngblood and the United States Naval Service.

SPOT AWARD, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific: Serial 9468