Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Navy and Marine Corps Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Composite Squadron 4 (VC-4)

    Regiment:

    Detachment 6

    Division:

    U.S.S. Coral Sea (CVA-43)

    Action Date:

    June 17, 1953

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Robert E. Berger (NSN: 0-374578), United States Navy, for heroism in the face of great danger. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Berger, attached to Composite Squadron FOUR (VC-4), Detachment SIX, embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43) on 17 June 1953, maneuvered his aircraft after it failed to engage the carrier arresting gear to avoid a group of about thirty men and four aircraft which were in his flight path. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Berger successfully avoided these personnel and crashed instead into two aircraft parked in the bow. All three aircraft were carried over the bow and his body was not recovered. His reactions in this emergency and his selflessness in the face of danger to his shipmates constitute performance of duty above normal expectations and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.