Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Corporal

Unit:

Company B, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division "Fighting Third", U.S. Marine Corps

"The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Corporal Roscoe L. Yarbrough (MCSN: 470783), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Squad Leader of Company B, First Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Marianas Islands, 26 July 1944. When his company position was overrun following a concentrated enemy attack with grenades, land mines, TNT blocks and automatic rifle fire upon the center of the beachhead area occupied by the First Battalion, Corporal Yarbrough quickly rallied the few remaining men of his squad which had lost its Platoon Leader, Sergeant Guide and Platoon Sergeant and, with an automatic rifle in hand, led the attack up a ravine in the midst of a continuing rain of fire. Succeeding in driving the enemy from positions on the hill, he enabled adjacent units pinned down by the hostile automatic rifle fire to maneuver against the Japanese elements within the company area and drive them from their commanding positions. His courageous leadership and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

SPOT AWARD, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 00420