Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

1st Lieutenant (Lieutenant)

Unit:

Company D, 3rd Amphibian Tractor Battalion, HQ, 1st Marine Division "The Old Breed", U.S. Marine Corps

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Wilson T. Bristol (0-16365), First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism while serving as Commanding Officer of Company D, Third Armored Amphibian Battalion, Fleet Marine Force, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Peleliu, Palau Islands, on 15 September 1944. Proceeding to the beach on the right flank of the first assault wave on D-Day, First Lieutenant Bristol observed a nearby tank bogged down on a treacherous coral reef and under a devastating concentration of enemy fire. Defying almost certain death, he promptly brought his vehicle alongside and, dismounting amidst a hail of shells and mortar projectiles, expeditiously connected a steel cable to the disabled craft and towed it from the untenable position. Fatally struck down by enemy mortar fire upon reaching the shore, First Lieutenant Bristol, by his daring initiative, great personal valor and dauntless courage against tremendous odds, had saved the entire crew of the stricken amphibian from threatened destruction and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Commander in Chief, Pacific Forces: Serial 01533 (7 February 1945).
Posthumously awarded.