Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    16th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    June 6, 1944

    Headquarters, FIRST U.S. Army, General Orders No. 94 (December 10, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Arthur B. Buschlen (ASN: 35011959), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Normandy, France, on 6 June 1944. Sergeant Buschlen was approaching the beach with one of the initial assault waves when his boat struck an underwater obstacle and capsized. Although thrown into deep water and subjected to fierce artillery and mortar fire, he voluntarily swam to the aid of a wounded comrade and brought him to shore. Observing another wounded man approximately 100 yards from shore struggling unsuccessfully to reach the beach with a cumbersome radio transmitter, Sergeant Buschlen, unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own safety, waded to the side of the wounded man. Although exposed to incessant machine gun and small arms fire, he carried the heavy radio and fearlessly assisted the casualty to shore. Sergeant Buschlen once again entered the channel in a vain attempt to salvage additional equipment which had become entangled on barbed wire barriers. With undiminished daring, he plunged into the water, ignoring the withering enemy fire, and struggled toward the entanglement and was mortally wounded. Sergeant Buschlen, by his display of extraordinary initiative, marked determination and great personal courage, exemplified the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.