Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Master Sergeant

    Action Date:

    April 9, 1947

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 12 (November 4, 1947)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Master Sergeant Cecil B. Steele, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the Shanghai Detachment, Station Complement, Army Advisory Group, on 9 April 1947, in combating a serious 15-hour fire which threatened to destroy valuable Government supplies and equipment at United States Army installations in Shanghai, China. At great personal risk, he voluntarily climbed a wet and slippery turntable ladder, which was in poor condition, to a height of approximately 70 feet, carrying with him a heavy pneumatic drill. At this precarious height and from an insecure support, Sergeant Steele drilled a hole through a heavily constructed brick wall. Despite flames, smoke, and gasses, he continued to enlarge the hole until it was large enough to get at the fire, thereby enabling firemen to effectively combat the blaze which had been raging unchecked. As a result of Sergeant Steele’s heroic act, several hundred thousand dollars worth of Government property was saved.