Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Corporal

Unit:

Company A, 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division "Fighting Fourth", U.S. Marine Corps

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company A, First Battalion, Twenty- Fourth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the invasion of Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, on 1 February 1944. Advancing with his company around the eastern perimeter of the Island, Corporal Ervin skillfully located and led the attack upon each hostile strong point in this zone of action. Although wounded in a single-handed assault upon an enemy heavy machine-gun nest, he returned to initiate a raid into an occupied blockhouse and, after climbing to a dangerously exposed position on its top, immediately poured rifle fire into a near-by Japanese trench fortification and exhorted his comrades to press home their attack. When painfully wounded for the second time, he gallantly refused to let anyone endanger himself by coming forward to help and, after pulling himself to safety and having his wounds dressed, retired only on the orders of his Commanding Officer. His determined fighting spirit and inspiring performance of duty throughout these bitter engagements reflect the highest credit upon Corporal Ervin and the United States Naval Service."

SPOT AWARD, Commander in Chief Pacific Forces: Serial 2788.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

Mortar Section, 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division "Fighting Fourth", U.S. Marine Corps

Citation:
"For meritorious achievement as Leader of a Mortar Section serving with the First Battalion, Twenty-Fourth Marines, Fourth Marine Division, during the occupation of enemy Japanese-held Saipan in the Marianas Islands, on 20 June 1944. Leading a patrol against a well-organized pocket of Japanese resistance that had been bypassed by the main attack force, Sergeant Ervin fearlessly advanced upon the enemy with determined aggressiveness, crushing all opposition without loss to his own patrol. By his resolute leadership and indomitable fighting spirit, Sergeant Ervin contributed materially to the fulfillment of a hazardous mission, and his zealous devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Second Purple Heart received as a golden star to be worn on the ribbon of the first Purple Heart.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded with one campaign star.