Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    Foreign

    Rank:

    Sepoy

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    2d Punjab Regiment

    Division:

    British Indian Army

    Action Date:

    February 22, 1945

    Headquarters, U.S. Army-Mediterranean Theater of Operations, General Orders No. 95 (June 22, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sepoy Sher Ali, British Indian Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with 1st Battalion, 2d Punjab Regiment, in action against enemy forces near San Clemente, Italy on 22 February 1945. As a member of a six man patrol sent out to raid an enemy position on the forward slope of a hill, Sepoy Sher Ali charged an enemy trench, bayoneted its occupants and then assisted his patrol in killing two other enemy and capturing two prisoners. On the return journey, the patrol was suddenly attacked by 15 Germans, whereupon Sepoy Sher Ali without hesitating charged the Germans, killed two with his bayonet, and then turned to assist his comrades in killing three more. Upon seeing that there were only two members of his patrol left Sepoy Sher Ali ordered them to withdraw while he exposed himself to enemy fire in order to cover their return to allied lines. His gallantry and unswerving leadership reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the Allied Nations.