Joseph V. Berault

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Joseph V. Berault (429637), Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company A, First Battalion, Fourth Marines (Reinforced), First Provisional Marine Brigade, Third Amphibious Corps, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Marianas Islands, 21 July 1944. During a hostile night attack with rifles, machine guns and hand grenades, Private First Class Berault defended his foxhole and, although hit in the mouth by an enemy grenade, quickly picked up the grenade and threw it back at the Japanese. Throwing out four grenades before he was severely wounded, he crawled to a hospital corpsman for first aid. When a grenade landed next to him while he was being treated, he put his foot on the grenade and shoved the corpsman out of danger from the explosion. Wounded again by the explosion, he was being pulled to safety by another Marine when he realized he was becoming a burden and asked to be left behind so that they could continue the fire fight. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Private First Class Berault and the United States Naval Service.

SPOT AWARD, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific: Serial 00396 (February 6, 1945)