Francis Fagan

Who is Francis Fagan?

Francis Fagan was a captain in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He served as commanding officer of Company G, Second Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. He was twice awarded the Navy Cross: once for his actions at the Battle of Guam, the other for his actions at the Battle of Iwo Jima. He received the second award posthumously.

His first award citation reads:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Francis Louis Fagan, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of Company G, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Marianas Islands, 28 July 1944. Assuming command of a company which had lost all its officers with the exception of one, Captain Fagan immediately pushed an attack to the top of a ridge and, when a strong enemy counterattack forced his company's right flank to fall back after the lapse of only ten minutes, ran one hundred and fifty yards along the front line through heavy hostile fire to the right flank. Braving intense fire from screaming Japanese troops only fifteen yards away, he rallied his men and halted the withdrawal, thus preventing a break-through and repulsing the counterattack. Although wounded during the action, he continued to command his company. His inspiring leadership, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.