Oswald J. Hedlund’s Navy Cross citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY CROSS to

CORPORAL OSWALD JOSEPH HEDLUND

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Oswald Joseph Hedlund (354876), Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as a member of a combat patrol serving with the FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Cape Gloucester, New Britain, 6 January 1944. When the gunner and assistant of his machine-gun squad were seriously wounded as the squad was maneuvering into position, Corporal Hedlund unhesitatingly made his way forward in the face of withering enemy fire and, at great risk to his own life, dragged the two injured men to safety. Again advancing under extremely difficult conditions, he quickly secured his machine gun and ammunition, putting it into action just in time to repulse a fierce, determined enemy charge. Corporal Hedlund’s brilliant initiative and selfless devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

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Born: 28 May 1920 in Worcester, Mass…. Passed: 26 November 1995… Interred: Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton, Mass.