Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Benjamin S. Read (MCSN: 0-19550), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of Battery H, Third Battalion, Eleventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on 7 December 1950. After the convoy of which his battery was a part had been subjected to an intense barrage of hostile fire just before daylight, Captain Read promptly reconnoitered the area in anticipation of a heavy assault, determined the probable point of enemy attack, drew his howitzers off the road and maneuvered them by hand into direct firing positions to protect the column against an estimated 800 of the enemy who had massed during the night less than two hundred yards distant. Throughout the ensuing battle, he repeatedly exposed himself to a blistering hail of hostile mortar, automatic weapons and small-arms fire, rallying his men, reorganizing depleted gun crews, supervising the evacuation of the wounded, spotting targets, brilliantly directing the fire of his battery and steadfastly refusing any aid for himself although he had been seriously wounded during the assault. Relentlessly pursuing the attack, he continued to shatter the enemy with point-blank fire until the fanatical assault had been repulsed and the hostile troops had suffer ed approximately ninety-five per cent casualties. His superb courage, valiant leadership and indomitable fighting spirit in the face of overwhelming odds reflect the highest credit upon Captain Read and the United States Naval Service
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Benjamin S. Read (MCSN: 0-19550), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of Battery H, Third Battalion, Eleventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on 7 December 1950. After the convoy of which his battery was a part had been subjected to an intense barrage of hostile fire just before daylight, Captain Read promptly reconnoitered the area in anticipation of a heavy assault, determined the probable point of enemy attack, drew his howitzers off the road and maneuvered them by hand into direct firing positions to protect the column against an estimated 800 of the enemy who had massed during the night less than two hundred yards distant. Throughout the ensuing battle, he repeatedly exposed himself to a blistering hail of hostile mortar, automatic weapons and small-arms fire, rallying his men, reorganizing depleted gun crews, supervising the evacuation of the wounded, spotting targets, brilliantly directing the fire of his battery and steadfastly refusing any aid for himself although he had been seriously wounded during the assault. Relentlessly pursuing the attack, he continued to shatter the enemy with point-blank fire until the fanatical assault had been repulsed and the hostile troops had suffer ed approximately ninety-five per cent casualties. His superb courage, valiant leadership and indomitable fighting spirit in the face of overwhelming odds reflect the highest credit upon Captain Read and the United States Naval Service
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Benjamin S. Read (MCSN: 0-19550), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of Battery H, Third Battalion, Eleventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on 7 December 1950. After the convoy of which his battery was a part had been subjected to an intense barrage of hostile fire just before daylight, Captain Read promptly reconnoitered the area in anticipation of a heavy assault, determined the probable point of enemy attack, drew his howitzers off the road and maneuvered them by hand into direct firing positions to protect the column against an estimated 800 of the enemy who had massed during the night less than two hundred yards distant. Throughout the ensuing battle, he repeatedly exposed himself to a blistering hail of hostile mortar, automatic weapons and small-arms fire, rallying his men, reorganizing depleted gun crews, supervising the evacuation of the wounded, spotting targets, brilliantly directing the fire of his battery and steadfastly refusing any aid for himself although he had been seriously wounded during the assault. Relentlessly pursuing the attack, he continued to shatter the enemy with point-blank fire until the fanatical assault had been repulsed and the hostile troops had suffer ed approximately ninety-five per cent casualties. His superb courage, valiant leadership and indomitable fighting spirit in the face of overwhelming odds reflect the highest credit upon Captain Read and the United States Naval Service
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Benjamin S. Read (MCSN: 0-19550), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of Battery H, Third Battalion, Eleventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on 7 December 1950. After the convoy of which his battery was a part had been subjected to an intense barrage of hostile fire just before daylight, Captain Read promptly reconnoitered the area in anticipation of a heavy assault, determined the probable point of enemy attack, drew his howitzers off the road and maneuvered them by hand into direct firing positions to protect the column against an estimated 800 of the enemy who had massed during the night less than two hundred yards distant. Throughout the ensuing battle, he repeatedly exposed himself to a blistering hail of hostile mortar, automatic weapons and small-arms fire, rallying his men, reorganizing depleted gun crews, supervising the evacuation of the wounded, spotting targets, brilliantly directing the fire of his battery and steadfastly refusing any aid for himself although he had been seriously wounded during the assault. Relentlessly pursuing the attack, he continued to shatter the enemy with point-blank fire until the fanatical assault had been repulsed and the hostile troops had suffer ed approximately ninety-five per cent casualties. His superb courage, valiant leadership and indomitable fighting spirit in the face of overwhelming odds reflect the highest credit upon Captain Read and the United States Naval Service
Gravesite Details
COL US MARINE CORPS
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
