Robert C. Filip

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Robert C. Filip (930836), Private, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Rifleman of Company L, Third Battalion, Twenty-First Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 1 March 1945. During a period when the attack by his company was temporarily held up, Private Filip left a covered position to go to the aid of a wounded man in a nearby shellhole. When an enemy grenade was thrown into the shell hole while he was treating the casualty, he realized that the wounded man could not move and, unhesitatingly picked up the grenade and attempted to throw it away. Although the grenade exploded almost instantly, wounding him seriously and throwing fragments into his face, Private Filip protected the wounded man from further injury by his quick action. His outstanding courage and unselfish devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

SPOT AWARD, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific: Serial 51256