- SURNAME
Pettus
- FORENAME
Francis Cornelison
- UNIT
1 Raider Bn (HQ)
- RANK
Platoon Sergeant
- NUMBER
259182
- AWARD
Navy Cross
- PLACE
Guadalcanal 1942
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 11.03.1908, Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia, USA
father Luke Pryor Pettus (1870-1961)
mother Louise Wilson (nee Andrews) (1874-1953)
wife Leonora F. (nee Klinger) Pettus (1890-1975) (married 24.08.1943)
died 12.10.1978 (Aged 70)
buried Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA. Section 59, Site 2372
note first name "Frances" on citation
CITATION:
Navy Cross : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Platoon Sergeant Frances C. Pettus (MCSN: 259182), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Headquarters, FIRST Marine Raider Battalion in combat against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, from 8 to 14 September 1942. During the attack on Tasimboko on 8 September, Platoon Sergeant Pettus, attached to the battalion intelligence section, led a small patrol to reconnoiter the gap existing between two companies in the front line. Although constantly exposed to hostile machine gun and rifle fire, he completed his mission, bringing back invaluable information to his commander. Again on the night of 13 - 14 September, during the enemy attack on the airport at Guadalcanal, Platoon Sergeant Pettus, at great risk of his life, kept his commander accurately informed of the situation on the battalion's exposed left flank. In addition, he carried ammunition to the foremost gun positions and assisted in the evacuation of the wounded. His fortitude, courage, and indomitable fighting spirit throughout these engagements were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/7606FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/122189245/francis-c-pettus
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