Serial # 312182
Awarded the Navy Cross for actions on Tarawa:
GENERAL ORDERS:
Commander in Chief Pacific Forces: Serial 0647 (SofN Signed January 28, 1948)
CITATION:
"The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Corporal Henry J. Witkowski, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company H, Second Battalion, Second Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands, on 20 November 1943. Armed only with a makeshift charge of dynamite, Corporal Witkowski courageously made his way through heavy enemy fire to assault a pillbox which was preventing the landing of our reinforcements and, when the dynamite failed to explode, unhesitatingly ran directly to the firing port and placed a second charge, completely destroying the hostile emplacement. Corporal Witkowski's splendid initiative, aggressive determination and fearless devotion to duty in the face of grave peril undoubtedly save the lives of many men who otherwise might have perished and his indomitable fighting spirit was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
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Created 20 January 2020
