Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Platoon Sergeant

    Batallion:

    3d Squadron

    Regiment:

    11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

    Action Date:

    June 9, 1969

    Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam, General Orders No. 2020 (August 24, 1969)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Platoon Sergeant Donald M. Biggin, Jr., United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 9 June 1969 while serving as a Platoon Leader with Troop L, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date Troop L was conducting a reconnaissance mission near An Loc when it was suddenly engaged by an unknown-sized North Vietnamese Army force. In the initial moments of the contact, intense automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire destroyed most communications and caused many casualties. Seeing that one of the damaged vehicles was the troop commander’s, Sergeant Biggin immediately organized his platoon to direct a heavy volume of return fire into the well-concealed enemy positions. During the fierce firefight, he noticed an anti-tank grenade team advancing towards the troop commander. Reacting instantly, he maneuvered his vehicle to provide suppressive fire. When he was near to the enemy he assaulted them, eliminating that threat. Then, knowing that the troop commander’s radio had been destroyed, he switched frequencies on his radio to direct the accurate airstrikes which were extremely successful on account of his direction. Platoon Sergeant Biggin’s gallant actions and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Batallion:

    3d Squadron

    Regiment:

    11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

    Action Date:

    March 18, 1969

    Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3077 (August 12, 1969)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant First Class Donald Malcolm Biggin, Jr., United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop L, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Platoon Sergeant Biggin distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 18 March 1969 during a reconnaissance-in-force mission near a rubber plantation in Binh Duong Province. As his unit’s armored vehicles attempted an on-line assault on the enemy bunker complex, they became stalled by anti-tank fire. Observing that the unit’s weapons were not effectively neutralizing the bunkers, Sergeant Biggin dismounted and engaged two hostile bunkers with an M-72 rocket launcher, destroying them completely. While supervising the evacuation of his wounded men, he noticed a fire burning in one of the tracks and rushed to assist the wounded crew members who were trapped. Placing the casualties on his armored personnel carrier, he proceeded out of the combat zone to an established landing zone. En route, an enemy ambush element waylaid the vehicle wounding all but him and the medic. Sergeant Biggin returned fire, killing one of the enemy, took the driver’s position and drove out of the ambush to the evacuation point. After insuring that the injured were evacuated on the extraction helicopter, he returned to the battle and reorganized his men into an effective fighting force. Platoon Sergeant Biggin’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.