Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    120th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    30th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    November 22, 1944

    Headquarters, 30th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 127 (December 18, 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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Joseph Clayton Reaser (ASN: 0-1293114), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 22 November 1944, in Germany. Captain Reaser was Commanding Officer of an Infantry Company in a bitter engagement with the enemy, during which it suffered some casualties. When it became necessary to withdraw to a better defensive position, he elected to remain with the wounded in order to supervise their evacuation. Although subjected to intense mortar and artillery fire and in direct view of one enemy tank about three hundred and fifty yards away which fired continually on his position, Captain Reaser successfully evacuated all his wounded men to positions of safety where they could be given medical treatment. His calm and decisive action in the face of great danger resulted in the saving of the lives of the wounded men and was a source of inspiration to the other members of his company. The bravery, aggressive determination, and exemplary leadership exhibited by Captain Reaser reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Armed Forces.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    120th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    30th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    August 6 – 12, 1944

    Headquarters, NINTH U.S. Army, General Orders No. 47 (November 22, 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 (Infantry) Joseph Clayton Reaser (ASN: 0-1293114), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of Company K, 3d Battalion, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Hill 314, near Mortain, France, from 6 to 12 August 1944. On 6 August 1944, the battalion of which First Lieutenant Reaser was a member, was assigned the mission of holding the high ground around Mortain, and the town itself. During the night the battalion was hit by a strong and numerically superior enemy force and completely surrounded. The majority of the members of the battalion headquarters, situated in the town of Mortain, were eventually killed or captured with but a few managing to escape. First Lieutenant Reaser’s company was among those units isolated on Hill 314 by the sudden enemy thrust. He immediately assumed personal direction of every phase of the action of his company and performed heroically for the entire six days of isolation. He risked his life innumerable times checking and encouraging his men and though the enemy pressure was unrelenting, he displayed unsurpassed heroism. Face with the shortage in water, food and medical supplies, the situation at times becoming seemingly hopeless, Captain Reaser steadfastly refused when approached by the enemy with an offer of honorable surrender. Never once did he waver in his determination to hold out against almost certain defeat. Realizing the disaster should the enemy gain Hill 314, his personal courage and heroic example so inspired the men that they exerted their supreme effort to hold this strategic position at all costs. Captain Reaser’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.