Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Action Date:

    March 17, 1961

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 28 (August 12, 1961)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Sergeant First Class Walter I. Shermer, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 25th Transportation Company (Direct Support), Fort Bragg, North Carolina, while serving as an aircraft maintenance supervisor during a unit field troop test at Camp MacKall, North Carolina, on 17 March 1961. Upon observing an Army L-20 aircraft crash and burst into flames in a wooded area during an attempted takeoff from a field airstrip, Sergeant Shermer, together with another fellow soldier, raced immediately to the scene. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he assisted in removing the dazed co-pilot from the flaming airplane and in carrying him to a safe location. Returning immediately to the burning wreckage, Sergeant Shermer selflessly risked his life by reaching through the flames in a further attempt to remove the pilot who was pinned inside. Despite the fact that he was ordered away from the blazing wreckage, he courageously returned and persisted in his efforts to extricate the pilot until he was again ordered to leave the aircraft. Sergeant Shermer’s unselfish and heroic efforts in this dangerous situation are in the most cherished traditions of the United States Army, and reflect distinct credit on himself and the military service.