Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Batallion:

    1st Squadron

    Regiment:

    11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

    Action Date:

    July 14, 1969

    Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam, General Orders No. 32 (January 4, 1970)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Sergeant Robert M. Dinsmore, United States Army, for heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force on 14 July 1969 while serving as a tank commander with Company D, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date Company D was conducting a reconnaissance operation when two North Vietnamese soldiers were spotted. Sergeant Dinsmore immediately directed his tank into position to engage the hostile troops. Suddenly his tank received a direct rocket-propelled grenade hit, wounding the driver and damaging the main gun and the mounted machine gun beyond use. Nevertheless, he maneuvered the vehicle into a position from which to suppressive fire could be placed on the enemy. Then after the wounded driver had been evacuated and another driver had taken over, Sergeant Dinsmore directed his tank back into the assault formation. When an armored vehicle was pinned down by enemy fire, he used his tank to overrun the emplacement from which the fire was coming. Sergeant Dinsmore’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Batallion:

    1st Squadron

    Regiment:

    11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

    Action Date:

    May 29, 1969

    Headquarters, II Field Force, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2008 (August 13, 1969)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Robert M. Dinsmore, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 29 May 1969 while serving as a loader and assistant tank commander with Company D, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while elements of the company were assaulting an enemy bunker complex, his tank was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. The explosion wounded the three other crew members, started a small fire in the vehicle and detonated a grenade that filled the tank with irritating gas. Although suffering from the effects of the gas, Sergeant Dinsmore moved his wounded comrades to safety. After observing the loss of his tank had caused the attack to falter, he returned through the hostile fusillade to his vehicle and began firing on the enemy positions with the main gun and a mounted heavy machine gun. Although some of the gas lingered in the vehicle and he was forced to load and fire unaided, Sergeant Dinsmore continued to cover the hostile emplacements with accurate fire until two replacement crew members arrived. He then maneuvered his tank into the assault formation and pressed the attack until the enemy positions had been overrun and destroyed. Sergeant Dinsmore’s outstanding courage, devotion to duty and concern for the welfare of his fellow soldiers were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.