Francis B. Barrigar

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Francis B. Barrigar (350178), Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as a member of an Assault Unit of Company E, Second Battalion, Twenty-Second Marines, First Provisional Marine Brigade, Fifth Amphibious Corps, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Engebi and Parry Islands, Einwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands, 18 to 22 February 1944. Pressing forward with the first landing squad and discovering his rifle had jammed, Private First Class Barrigar leaped into a foxhole, disarmed a Japanese soldier and killed him with his own bayonet. Armed only with the bayonet, he continued with his squad to within forty yards of the opposite beach of the island, accounting for two other Japanese in hand-to-hand combat before receiving a bullet wound in the neck. By his outstanding courage, initiative and zealous devotion to duty, Private First Class Barrigar contributed materially to the success of the attack, thereby reflecting the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.

SPOT AWARD, Commander in Chief, Pacific Forces: Serial 11172 (SofN Signed January 26, 1946)