Calvin J. Bleau

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Calvin J. Bleau (558295), Private, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company D, Second Battalion, Twenty-Eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 11 March 1945. When the advance of his company was stopped by withering cross-fire from enemy machine guns emplaced in pillboxes, Private Bleau voluntarily went to the rear and brought up an antitank rocket launcher. Starting in the sector on the right flank of his company, he attacked and destroyed two hostile pillboxes. Although constantly exposed to heavy enemy machine-gun fire, he continued across his company’s front and destroyed three more similar Japanese emplacements. He was seriously wounded while attempting to close in on another hostile pillbox. By his valor and daring initiative, Private Bleau enabled his company to continue the advance to its assigned objective, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

SPOT AWARD, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific: Serial 43156 (June 13, 1945)