Naval Speedletter Regarding Recommendation to Award John K. Koelsch the Navy Cross

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Description

Commander Charles A. Iarrobino described Lieutenant John K. Koelsch as “a real naval hero” in this letter dated June 3, 1954. Iarrobino recommended that Koelsch receive a Navy Cross posthumously “for repeated acts of exceptional heroism.” LT Koelsch flew helicopter missions off of the U.S.S. Princeton during the Korean War and died after being captured behind enemy lines.

Citation

This primary source comes from the Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel.

National Archives Identifier: 596906

Full Citation: Naval Speedletter from Charles Iarrabino to the Chief of Naval Personnel Regarding Recommendation to Award John K. Koelsch with the Navy Cross; 6/3/1954; Official Military Personnel File for John K. Koelsch; Official Military Personnel Files, 1885–1998; Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Record Group 24; National Archives at St. Louis, St. Louis, MO. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/document/naval-speedletter-charles-iarrabino-about-john-koelsch-navy-cross/, June 13, 2026]

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