Virgil Huddleston

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Virgil Huddleston (301109), Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company A, Second Separate Engineer Battalion, Third Amphibious Corps, Fleet Marine Force, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Marianas Islands, 22 July 1944. With an enemy mortar position supporting a strong counterattack against his battalion. Private First Class Huddleston volunteered to locate the emplacements and, advancing alone, killed an enemy soldier after the man had thrown a grenade which damaged his rifle. Then, continuing his mission, unarmed except for grenades, he located the hostile position. After passing his information and learning that a detail would attack the emplacement on the right flank, he crawled directly forward across open ground on the left, drawing enemy fire, and covered the mortar with his grenades while the attack developed on the right. His gallant fighting spirit and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

SPOT AWARD, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific: Serial 21393 (SofN Signed November 20, 1947)