Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Pharmacist's Mate 2nd Class

Unit:

3rd Battalion, 29th Marine Regiment, 6th Marine Division "The Striking Sixth", U.S. Marine Corps

Awarded for:

Operation Iceberg

"The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Pharmacist's Mate Second Class John Frederick Pauk, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty while serving as a Medical Corpsman attached to the Third Battalion, Twenty-Ninth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands, on 5 June 1945. When several Marines on top of a newly-seized ridge were wounded by hostile mortar and machine-gun fire, Pharmacist's Mate Second Class Pauk courageously crawled to their exposed position and proceeded to drag them, one at a time, to a sheltered location. Although wounded by a bullet after four trips under enemy fire, he continued his efforts and removed a number of casualties to safety. Later, realizing that all troops were needed on the front lines and that all wire and radio communications to the rear were out, Pharmacists Mate Second Class Pauk made his way to the battalion aid station and, returning with stretchers and bearers, supervised the evacuation of casualties. Despite his wound, he remained with his company on the front lines until another medical corpsman could be sent forward to take his plays. His heroic devotion to duty in the face of hostile fire reflects great credit upon Pharmacist's Mate Second Class Pauk and the United States Naval Service."