Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Technical Sergeant [then Staff Sergeant]

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    253d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    63d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    April 8, 1945

    Headquarters, 63d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 220 (June 11, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant [then Staff Sergeant] Richard E. Woodhams (ASN: 42023456), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company F, 2d Battalion, 253d Infantry Regiment, 63d Infantry Division, in action on 8 April 1945, in the vicinity of Herbelsheim, Germany. Disregarding heavy machine gun and artillery fire, Sergeant Woodhams crawled to an enemy machine gun nest that was endangering the company’s right flank and silenced it with rifle fire and grenades. This action enabled his machine gun section to reach comparative safety in the cover of a building and eliminated a serious threat to the company’s flank. The courage and gallantry under fire of Sergeant Woodhams reflect high credit upon himself and are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.