This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Cpl John Dufresne (Russ/Rusty Nails)
to remember
Marine 1stLt Jeffrey Richard Scharver (Major Disaster).
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Casualty Info
Home Town Canton
Last Address Barrington, Rhode Island
Casualty Date Oct 25, 1983
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Sea
Location Grenada
Conflict Combat and Noncombat Operations
Location of Interment Forest Chapel Cemetery - Barrington, Bristol Co., Rhode Island
This ribbon will display Multiple Award devices automatically based on the total number of awards listed.
Details Behind Award
Lt. Scharver was on an armed reconnaissance mission just hours into the invasion when a second helicopter was hit and brought down behind enemy lines by anti-aircraft fire. United States Secretary of the Navy John Lehman wrote in a citation that "with full knowledge of their vulnerability ... and with total disregard for their safety, First Lieutenant Scharver and his pilot exposed their aircraft to heavy antiaircraft artillery fire while engaging ground forces."
Their actions, he wrote, helped buy enough time for other pilots to rescue the fallen crew. During their efforts, their helicopter was shot down.
Lt. Scharver, the secretary wrote, showed "extraordinary courage, uncommon valor and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of danger," and was posthumously awarded the Silver Star.