- SURNAME
Pottorff
- FORENAME
David Michael
- UNIT
Recon Company (HQ Bn,4 MarDiv)
- RANK
First Lieutenant
- NUMBER
0-15275
- AWARD
Navy Cross, Silver Star
- PLACE
Saipan, Marianas Islands 1944 (SS) USS Blessman, off Iwo Jima 1945 (NC)
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Memphis, Tennessee
born 12.7.1919 Memphis, Tennessee, USA
father Emory Clyde Pottorff (1881-1947)
attended Mississippi State College
attended Holy Cross College
resided 272 Beechmont Drive, New Rochelle, Worcester County, New York (draft card)
16.10.1940 draft card State College, Mississippi (draft card shows D.O.B. 11.07.1919)
1942 graduated Mississippi State College
07.03.1942 entered service
USMCR
11.03.1945 WIA
16.12.1945 discharged
retired Lt. Col.
1965 married Harriett Ann (nee David) Pottorff (1933-2008)
died 9.3.1978 Union County, Arkansas, USA (Aged 58)
Roselawn Cemetery, Junction City, Union County, Arkansas
CITATION:
Navy Cross : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant David M. Pottorff (MCSN: 0-15275), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism while attached to Reconnaissance Company, Headquarters Battalion, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific War Area, on 18 February 1945. When enemy artillery fire hit the U.S.S. Blessman on which he was embarked, killing the Commanding Officer and destroying the ship’s control and communication system, First Lieutenant Pottorff organized and directed a vocal chain of communication to the engine room and to the manually-operated rudder and thereby prevented the beaching and destruction of the crippled craft. When the ship was bombed twice and set afire while retiring from the area that night, he instantly organized the uninjured Marines aboard and evacuated the wounded and dying from the burning area. Despite the hazards involved, First Lieutenant Pottorff continued to direct the fire fighting parties and prevented the spread of flames to the fantail which housed eighty tons of explosives. His initiative, cool courage and unselfish devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant David M. Pottorff (MCSN: 0-15275), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a platoon leader of reconnaissance Company, Headquarters Battalion, FOURTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands on 21 June 1944. When a member of his platoon lay wounded and exposed to severe enemy fire during a furious attack against a cliff defended by fifty Japanese, First Lieutenant Pottorff unhesitatingly risked his life to advance unprotected for more than thirty yards under intense enemy fire and return the wounded man to a place of comparative safety. By his gallant and unselfish action, First Lieutenant Pottorff undoubtedly saved the life of a fellow Marine and his superb courage, unfaltering devotion to duty and loyal concern for the safety of his men were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant David M. Pottorff (MCSN: 0-15275), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a platoon leader of reconnaissance Company, Headquarters Battalion, FOURTH Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Mariana Islands on 21 June 1944. When a member of his platoon lay wounded and exposed to severe enemy fire during a furious attack against a cliff defended by fifty Japanese, First Lieutenant Pottorff unhesitatingly risked his life to advance unprotected for more than thirty yards under intense enemy fire and return the wounded man to a place of comparative safety. By his gallant and unselfish action, First Lieutenant Pottorff undoubtedly saved the life of a fellow Marine and his superb courage, unfaltering devotion to duty and loyal concern for the safety of his men were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
WEB LINKS:
• https://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient/recipient-8218/FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/27161813/david-michael-pottorff
Last edited by a moderator: