Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Division:

    U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam

    Action Date:

    February 2, 1968

    Headquarters, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1392 (May 24, 1968)

    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 Captain (Infantry) Jack L. LeMar (ASN: 0-1922988), United States Army, for gallantry in action on 2 February 1968, while serving as Senior Ground Advisor in Binh Lam Hamlet, Long Thanh District, Bien Hoa Province, Republic of Vietnam. On that date, a well entrenched Viet Cong company pinned down a combined United States/Regional Forces element and a United States mechanized platoon. Captain LeMar took command of the mechanized unit to direct an assault against the enemy. By fire and maneuver, Captain LeMar successfully diverted the enemy attack from the pinned down elements. As the portion of the assaulting force Captain LeMar was commanding approached the enemy positions, the Viet Cong unleashed withering machinegun, rocket, and grenade fire. An enemy grenade exploded near Captain LeMar injuring him. Though hampered by his multiple wounds, Captain LeMar continued to direct fire on the enemy, retrieved wounded personnel, and marked the target area with smoke for helicopter gunship strikes. He valiantly continued to direct his forces, subjecting himself to intense enemy fire to insure an orderly withdrawal from the entrenched enemy position. Only after directing the withdrawal of all other wounded did he allow himself to leave the battlefield. His extraordinary courage and indefatigable dedication to duty were instrumental in assuring an orderly withdrawal from the fiercely contested area. Captain LeMar’s conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.