Joseph L. Brandon

The Navy Cross is presented to Joseph L. Brandon, Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession displayed on the occasion of the crashing and burning of the airplane SB2 U-3 on the night of October 20, 1941. Second Lieutenant William W. Dean, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve with Private First Class Brandon as gunner and passenger, took off on a routine night flight and crashed shortly after. Lieutenant Dean was knocked unconscious. The plane immediately burst into flames and burned. Private Brandon, although severely burned, extricated himself from the rear cockpit and without regard for his own safety went back into the flames and freed Lieutenant Dean from the wreckage before the gasoline tanks blew up. Private Brandon’s action on this occasion was above and beyond the call of duty and reflects great credit upon the Naval Service.
Authority – USMC Communiqué: 288544 DLA-298-cb (15 January 1942)