Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Armor)

    Batallion:

    743d Tank Battalion (Separate)

    Division:

    30th Infantry Division (Attached)

    Action Date:

    July 31, 1944

    Headquarters, FIRST U.S. Army, General Orders No. 83 (November 20, 1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 First Lieutenant (Armor) Harry Frederick Hansen (ASN: 0-1018746), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 743d Tank Battalion (Separate), attached to the 30th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 31 July 1944, near Trosigats, France. The town was on a hill occupied by several German tanks and their position stalled the Allied advance. First Lieutenant Hansen leapt from his tank and persuaded an infantryman to follow with his bazooka. The two men advanced on foot beyond the Allied front where they destroyed two German tanks, directed artillery fire toward a third, while the fourth tank fled. First Lieutenant Hansen’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 30th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Armor)

    Batallion:

    743d Tank Battalion (Separate)

    Division:

    30th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    October 9, 1944

    Headquarters, 30th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 130 (December 21, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Armor) Harry Frederick Hansen (ASN: 0-1018746), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 743d Tank Battalion (Separate), attached to the 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy during the siege of Aachen, Germany, on 9 October 1944. During an engagement with the enemy, our forces were halted by fire from a well concealed enemy tank. Captain Hansen fearlessly advanced on foot to locate the enemy tank, although he was subjected all the way to increasingly heavy enemy small arms and mortar fire. When the tank was found, he commandeered an M10 tank destroyer which was in the area, in order to attack the tank before it could move to a new position. Climbing to the turret of the tank destroyer, he rode in this exposed and vulnerable position directing the drive rover the route which he had selected. As a result of his excellent reconnaissance, he was able to direct the tank destroyer into a position from which it destroyed the enemy tank before any return fire was possible. Captain Hansen’s heroic achievement made possible an important tactical victory. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Hansen, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.