- SURNAME
Quirk
- FORENAME
Brian Joseph
- UNIT
3 Raider Bn (Company L)
- RANK
Corporal
- NUMBER
336639
- AWARD
Navy Cross
- PLACE
Bougainville 1943
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 10.02.1922, Chicago, Illinois
resided Chicago, Illinois
graduated De La Salle Institute
former 2 Raider Bn (Company B)
2 x Purple Hearts
1946 married Kathryn L. Quirk
3 sons (Dennis, Brian Jr & Sean), 2 daughters (Margaret & Mary)
1950 graduated Loyola University
remained in Marines, served Korea. Later reserves until early 1970's.
retired as Lieutenant Colonel
died 31.05.2010, Des Plaines (Aged 88)
buried St. Michael Cemetery, Homer Glen, Will County, Illinois, USA
CITATION:
Navy Cross : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Corporal Brian J. Quirk (MCSN: 336639), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with the THIRD Marine Raider Battalion during action against enemy Japanese forces at Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on 9 November 1943. While his platoon was engaged in the defense of a vital road block near Empress Augusta Bay, Corporal Quirk commanded a squad attacking a series of machine-gun nests which the enemy had established within thirty yards of the Marine block. Although wounded four times in the terrific exchange of fire, he not only refused evacuation but also led his men in a bold assault against one of the key nests, courageously destroying the enemy and enabling his platoon to advance on the others in the area. His grim determination and aggressive fighting spirit, maintained with utter disregard of personal safety, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/8157https://marineraiderassociation.org/quirk-brian-j/
FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/114423331/brian-joseph-quirk
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