Markham, Jerry Neal

Date of birth:: September 4th, 1918 (Mobile/Alabama, USA)
Date of death:: February 1st, 2008 (Jacksonville/Florida, USA)
Nationality:: American

Biography

Member of the elite Navy Combat Demolition Unit, later known as the Navy SEALS, that landed at Omaha beach on 6 June 1944. Awarded the Navy Cross, the Croix de Guerre, the Presidential Unit Citation and the Purple Heart.

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Navy Cross

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Chief Machinist’s Mate, U.S. Navy R

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Chief Machinist’s Mate Jerry Neal Markham, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty in action against the enemy while serving as a Member of Naval Combat Demolition Unit, during the amphibious assault on the Normandy Coast of France on 6 June 1944. When the Officer in Charge of his unit was killed on landing, Chief Machinist’s Mate Markham assumed command of the remainder of his unit and blew a partial gap in the enemy beach obstacles. After leading injured members of his crew to safety, he assisted other units in demolitions, succeeded in saving three men buried as a result of a cave-in caused by a shell explosion, and for forty-eight hours directed his men in the clearance of beach obstacles with commandeered equipment after explosives for that purpose had been expended. His display of courage and devotion to duty on this occasion reflects the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.