Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Navy and Marine Corps Medal

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    January 19, 1986

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Captain Richard Allen Christie, United States Marine Corps, for heroism while serving with FIRST Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, Camp Pendleton, California on 19 January 1986. At approximately 0130 while driving to his residence in San Clemente, California, Captain Christie observed a vehicle crash through a guard rail on an interstate highway, plunge 35 feet onto the street below, and burst into flames. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he rushed to the scene of the accident and immediately began rescuing the unconscious passenger who was trapped in the burning van. Breaking the rear window of the van, Captain Christie loosened the man’s feet and dragged him to safety just minutes before the vehicle was entirely engulfed in flames. By his courageous and prompt actions in the face of great personal risk, Captain Christie saved the victim’s life; thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

  • Defense Superior Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    July 2000 – June 2002

    Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in awarding the Defense Superior Service Medal to Colonel Richard Allen Christie, United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally superior service while serving as Chief of Staff and Land Forces Planner, United States Military Delegation to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Military Committee, Brussels, Belgium, from July 2000 to June 2002. During this period, the outstanding skill, leadership and ceaseless efforts of Colonel Christie resulted in the successful execution of multiple North Atlantic Treaty Organization operations throughout the Balkans. His extraordinary initiative, tenacity, and extensive knowledge of a wide variety of Alliance issues were singularly instrumental in preparing the United States Military Representative to successfully affect NATO decision-making. He personally developed the United States’ position on the transfer of the Ground Safety Zone around Kosovo from NATO’s military forces to those of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. As testament to his charismatic leadership, he successfully negotiated and coordinated this activity with individual NATO nations, and ensured the implementation of this critical confidence building measure. This action effectively and safely advanced both American and Alliance objectives in the region. Colonel Christie’s superb consensus-building skills and tactful persistence enabled him to protect key U.S. equities in multinational working groups. Simultaneously, his diplomatic balm fostered greater understanding and coordination between the State Department’s Mission to NATO and the Military Delegation. This cooperation resulted in policy recommendations that supported the positions of both the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the use of military force and forces in the Balkans. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Christie reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Marine Corps, and the Department of Defense.