Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Division:

    83d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    July 11, 1944

    Headquarters, 83d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 18 (July 30, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Robert E. Sowell (ASN: 0-529233), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 83d Infantry Division, in action on 11 July 1944, near ****, France. Second Lieutenant Sowell and his platoon encountered several enemy tanks. In the ensuing heavy artillery and machine gun fire all of the members of one of his anti-tank squads became casualties or were pinned down. Second Lieutenant Sowell secured a rocket launcher and, with utter disregard for his personal safety, personally attacked the tanks and repulsed the attack. In the action he was killed by machine gun fire from the tanks. His outstanding accomplishment doubtless saved his regimental command post from being destroyed by one of the tanks that had got within two hundred yards of it. Second Lieutenant Sowell’s outstanding bravery and fighting spirit, his devotion to duty and aggressive leadership were in keeping with the finest traditions of the armed forces of the united States.