- SURNAME
Driskell
- FORENAME
Joseph Richard ("Joe")
- UNIT
4 Raider Bn (Company B)
- RANK
Platoon Sergeant
- NUMBER
283270 (enlisted) 0-44421 (commissioned)
- AWARD
Navy Cross
- PLACE
Pearl Harbor 1941 (pre Raider)
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 22.09.1916, Tere Haute, Indiana
father William Silvester Driskell (1872-1930)
mother Lydia A. (nee Whitecotton) Driskell (1882-1929)
wife Dagmar Vera (nee Coito) Driskell (1922-2006)
service years 1940-1953, final rank Master Sergeant
died 12.03.1997, Sun City, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA
buried Highland Lawn Cemetery, Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana, USA
CITATION:
Navy Cross : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Corporal Joseph R. Driskell (MCSN: 283270), United States Marine Corps, for exceptional courage, presence of mind, and devotion to duty and disregard for his personal condition while serving on board the U.S.S. NEVADA (BB-36) during the Japanese attack on the United States Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, on 7 December 1941. Corporal Driskell, the gun captain of No. 9 broadside gun of the U.S.S. NEVADA, was seriously wounded and burned, and most of his clothing burned off when a bomb exploded in the immediate vicinity of his gun. Disregarding his condition, he insisted on manning another gun after his own was wrecked. Despite serious leg wounds, he refused to join the wounded, but assisted other wounded men instead, and then joined fire-fighting squads which contributed materially to bringing the fires under control. His outstanding courage, aggressive fighting spirit and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Corporal Driskell and the United States Naval Service.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/8045https://marines.togetherweserved.com/usmc/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=355464
https://1-24thmarines.com/personnel/joe-r-driskell/
FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/25887938/joseph-richard-driskell
Last edited by a moderator:
