Joseph M. Auman

Joseph M. Auman (1922–1942) was a United States Marine Corps private who received a posthumous Navy Cross for his actions in the Guadalcanal campaign during World War II.

Biography

Joseph Martin Auman was born on 4 January 1922 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on 27 August 1940 in Chicago.

After duty at San Diego, California, Private Auman served on Guadalcanal during the Guadalcanal campaign. On 12 November 1942, when his company was forced to make a temporary withdrawal, Private Auman, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, manned a machine gun and covered the retirement. Steadfastly remaining at his exposed position, he continued to fire the weapon until killed in action.

Awards

For his gallant devotion to duty for his country in action on Guadalcanal, Private Auman was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.

Namesakes

The United States Navy destroyer escort USS Joseph M. Auman (DE-674) was named for Private Auman. She was converted during construction into the high-speed transport USS Joseph M. Auman (APD-117) and was in commission from 1945 to 1946.

Notes

• This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.