- SURNAME
Willox
- FORENAME
Nicholas Alexander
- UNIT
1 Raider Bn (Company C)
- RANK
Private
- NUMBER
364310
- AWARD
Navy Cross
- PLACE
Guadalcanal 1942
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 18.11.1922, Hempstead, Long Island, New York, USA
resided Hempstead, Long Island, New York
enlisted 14.01.1942
1944 married wife Lucille Cornelia Willox (1922-1991)
discharged 26.04.1945
died 26.10.1975 (Aged 52)
buried Long Island National Cemetery, East Farmingdale, New York, USA. Plot LO 24617B
CITATION:
Navy Cross : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Private Nicholas A. Willox (MCSN: 364310), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company C, FIRST Marine Raider Battalion, during combat against enemy Japanese forces on Lunga Ridge, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on the night of 13 and 14 September 1942. While the battalion was being subjected to ferocious assaults by the enemy and in spite of a change in position, Private Willox, serving as assistant gunner in a mortar section, kept up an accurate and almost continuous fire against the advancing Japanese. With utter disregard for his own personal safety, he courageously assisted in the evacuation of the wounded and the carrying of ammunition to the front line units. In the closing hours of the battle he voluntarily joined these units and ably assisted them in stemming the assaults until he was injured by enemy grenades. His cool courage, devotion to duty, and indomitable fighting spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/8474FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/82659576/nicholas-alexander-willox
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