serial # 335667
Sacramento, California
Awarded the Navy Cross for action against enemy Japanese forces on Tarawa on November 21, 1943.
SPOT AWARD, Commander in Chief Pacific Forces: Serial 0647
"The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Platoon Sergeant Walter Fieguth, United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company B, SECOND Tank Battalion, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands, on 21 November 1943. When his platoon of light tanks grounded on a coral reef, Platoon Sergeant Fieguth unhesitatingly waded to within two hundred yards of the shore despite intense, persistent enemy machine-gun fire to locate a shallow water path through which to lead his platoon ashore and, returning to his tank, attempted a landing in water approximately three feet deep. Successfully leading the tank a distance of eight hundred yards across a shell-pocked reef and a mined beach, he then contacted the Battalion Commander and subsequently made his way back to the beach to guide the remainder of the platoon ashore under cover of darkness. Platoon Sergeant Fieguth's splendid initiative, aggressive determination and unselfish devotion to duty in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
"Platoon Sergeant Fieguth's extraordinary heroism, devotion to duty, mainted with utter disregard of personal safety and with only one thought in mind, "To get his platoon of tanks safely ashore," were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
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Created 4 October 2004 - Updated 24 January 2020
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