- SURNAME
Doerr
- FORENAME
David Donald
- UNIT
formerly 1st Marine Parachute Regiment
- RANK
Gunnery Sergeant
- NUMBER
264610
- DATE OF DEATH
12th April 1945
- AGE
26
- GRAVESITE
Oak Grove Cemetery, Lake Alfred, Florida, USA. Plot E13-5
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 19.06.1918 Licking County, Ohio, USA
son of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Doerr, Lake Alfred
19.04.1938 entered service
KIA Okinawa, Japan
DATE OF DEATH:
12-Apr-1945CITATION:
Navy Cross : The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Gunnery Sergeant David D. Doerr (MCSN: 264610), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as Gunnery Sergeant of a Machine Gun Platoon of Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-Ninth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 12 April 1945. Acting without orders when his company was viciously fired upon by a strong Japanese force, Gunnery Sergeant Doerr immediately charged forward despite the relentless shellfire and established a firing line on the crest of a ridge. Then, further exposing himself, he moved about among his men, directing their fire against the emplacements and encouraging them to hold fast despite the extreme odds. Wounded by enemy small-arms fire, he gallantly elected to remain with his men and, when one of his gunners became a casualty, promptly seized the weapon and dragged it to an open position on top of the ridge to obtain more accurate firing range. Braving the devastating machine-gun, mortar and artillery barrage laid down by the enemy, he promptly set up- his machine gun and trained his accurate fire against the positions, killing ten of the Japanese and providing effective cover for his men. Struck down by a bursting artillery shell, he again refused evacuation and, continuing his selfless efforts, manned his weapon with deadly effect until he lost consciousness. By his forceful leadership, indomitable fighting spirit and great personal valor, maintained through the fierce action, Gunnery Sergeant Doerr served as an inspiration to all and contributed materially to the success of his company's mission. His valiant conduct and unrelenting devotion to duty reflect he highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/8095FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40474304/david-donald-doerr
Last edited:
