6th MarDiv Unit History - Alan DuBois - Silver Star, Bronze Star, Five Purple Hearts

[USMCman01]

I recently acquired a 6th Marine Division Unit History book to a decorated marine and what I find to be a record amount of purple hearts in a period.

Alan VF (Van Fleet) DuBois served with B Co, 1st Battalion, 29th Marines on Okinawa and was awarded a Silver Star and Bronze Star for gallantry in action. Below is his Silver Star citation.

The book was presented by 6th Marine Division Commanding Officer Lemuel C. Shepherd who also signed it.

DuBois made notes throughout the book about his service listing awards, men from his unit, and circling his name. When I saw that he wrote "5 Awards" next to the purple heart, I assumed he was wounded in Korea also, having been awarded a second Silver Star in during the Korean War era. After having looked over the casualty card, he was wounded a total of 5 times during the battle of Okinawa on April 12th, April 14th, May 16th, May 28th, and May 30th. This is something I have personally never seen. (His final casualty card notes a gold star awarded for the fourth award but all were shrapnel wounds)

Let me know what you think.

Silver Star citation:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Alan V. F. DuBois (MCSN: 897075), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an Acting Demolition Corporal of Company B, First Battalion, Twenty-ninth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, from 16 May to 9 June 1945. Braving intense enemy machine-gun and mortar fire, Private First Class Du Bois voluntarily advanced forward of the front lines to aid a fallen Marine and, discovering that the man had been killed, reconnoitered the area, noting the placement of troops and the direction of enemy fire. After making a full report to his Platoon Leader, he again went to the front to aid casualties. Discovering one man wounded and a tank put out of action, he ordered the remaining men to take cover behind another tank and to aid that tank in its forward movement while he assisted the wounded man to cover and medical aid. Several hours later, when another Marine was reported seriously wounded in an exposed position some two hundred yards from cover, he proceeded to his aid. Although struck by mortar fragments in his left leg and suffering from loss of blood, he continued his mission and succeeded in carrying his comrade to safety, refusing medical treatment for his own wounds until he had rescued another Marine from the same terrain and all other casualties had been removed. Answering a faint call for help on 9 June, and discovering two rifle platoons badly disorganized and suffering many casualties, Private First Class Du Bois braved enemy sniper and machine-gun fire to run to the forward slope of the hill and throw two smoke grenades into the valley. By information obtained from the one member of the platoon who escaped, he aided his Commanding Officer in directing mortar smoke shells into the valley which allowed the hard-pressed Marines to withdraw from their exposed position. His fearless determination and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

 

(As usual the resized photos are distorted)

[Blacksmith]

Very cool.

[Bellumbill]

Wow, this is beyond fantastic! I love the autographed history books! Thanks for posting!

Best,

 

Bill

[jhall]

Found this old post from 2017, I bought DuBois's Purple Heart, Silver Star and Bronze Star Medal citations on Ebay about 3 years ago. They are pictured below.