Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Regiment:

    158th Regimental Combat Team (Separate)

    Division:

    41st Infantry Division (Attached)

    Action Date:

    May 30, 1944

    Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 124 (November 24, 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 Private First Class Jack W. Carson (ASN: 34086690), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with an Infantry Company of the 158th Infantry Regimental Combat Team (Separate), attached to the 41st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Arara, Dutch New Guinea, on 30 May 1944. Private First Class Carson, during a suicidal enemy attack, threw himself upon a live grenade hurled into his machine gun pit which he occupied with eight other men. The explosion of the grenade wounded him severely, but despite his injuries he continued to fire his weapon until he succumbed to a bayonet thrust by the enemy. By his undaunted will to fight, Private First Class Carson saved his comrades from injury and probably death, and materially aided them in successfully repelling the attack. Private First Class Carson’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.