- SURNAME
Brekke
- FORENAME
Marshall L.
- UNIT
U.S.N. NCDU-
- RANK
Lieutenant
- NUMBER
0-117931
- AWARD
Legion of Merit with V device
- PLACE
Southern France 1944
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CITATION:
Legion Of Merit : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" to Lieutenant Marshall L. Brekke (NSN: 0-117931), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Officer-in-Charge of a Combat Demolition Unit prior to and during the amphibious invasion of Southern France in August 1944. Lieutenant Brekke, displaying the utmost skill and energy, organized and trained his unit in the hazardous procedure of clearing underwater obstacles, beach obstructions and reinforced defense positions to enable the initial boat waves to land and discharge assault troops over the selected beaches. Despite the experimental nature of beach demolitions in amphibious warfare and the heavily obstructed inshore approaches encountered during the assault operations, he successfully led his unit to his assigned beach, cleared the obstacles and within a short time opened a channel for the passage of the assault boats. His expert and gallant actions in effectively clearing the approach channel contributed materially to the expeditious launching of the assault and the prompt establishment of the beachhead. The extraordinary ability, cool and courageous action, and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Brekke reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Brekke is authorized to wear the Combat "V".)
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/307685
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