Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Coast Artillery Corps)

    Batallion:

    3d Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AW) Battalion (SP)

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    April 18 1951

    Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 166 (May 26, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Coast Artillery Corps) Donald J. Koevenig (ASN: 0-2262862), United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Battery C, 3d Anti-Aircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Battalion (Self-Propelled), 3d Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of Chungsa-ri, Korea, on 18 April 1951. On that date, while serving as Assistant Platoon Leader on a mission to recover disabled tanks, Lieutenant Koevenig skillfully dispersed his men to positions which afforded maximum protective support to the recovery team from the 65th Infantry. With no regard for his safety and despite intense small arms and automatic weapons fire, Lieutenant Koevenig voluntarily left the comparative safety of his armored vehicle in order to point out enemy positions to his gun crews. When an enemy machine gun threatened the security of the mission, he unhesitatingly exposed himself to hostile fire, ran to a gun position, and personally directed a fire mission which silenced the machine gun and permitted operations to continue. Lieutenant Koevenig’s complete command of the situation ensured the success of the mission and as a direct result of his actions, not one friendly casualty was sustained. The outstanding gallantry, leadership, and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Second Lieutenant Koevenig, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.