Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    508th Parachute Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    82d Airborne Division

    Action Date:

    June 14, 1944

    Headquarters, 82d Airborne Division, General Orders No. 92 (June 18, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Sherman Van Enwyck (ASN: 12131838), United States Army, for gallantry in action on 14 June 1944, near ****, France. Staff Sergeant Van Enwyck, Squad Leader, Company A, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, single-handed, destroyed one machine gun nest, killed five Germans, helped neutralize another enemy machine gun nest, and killed a German sniper. Seeing his company’s advance held up by an enemy machine gun, Staff Sergeant Van Enwyck, armed with grenades crawled forward and reduced the position. As the company advanced, he saw another machine gun position to his flank. Completely exposing himself, he rushed toward the gun and killed two of the gun crew before he was wounded. While being evacuated for his wounds, he killed an enemy sniper. His singular acts of heroism were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.