Navy Federal Credit Union

Lieutenant Gividen graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1951. He retired in 1960 as a U.S. Army Captain.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    14th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    25th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    October 12, 1952

    Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 649 (September 27, 1954)

    The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) George Massie Gividen, Jr. (ASN: 0-64146), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Gividen distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Satae-ri, Korea, on 12 October 1952. On that date, a volunteer patrol was organized under the leadership of Lieutenant Gividen for the purpose of destroying an enemy outpost. As the patrol approached the outpost under the cover of dusk, it received hostile fire from a hillside bunker and several dug in positions. Lieutenant Gividen was advancing toward the bunker through intense machine gun and grenade fire when he was severe wounded by a grenade exploding between his legs. With both legs broken, he continued his advance by crawling towards and simultaneously firing his carbine into the enemy positions. Lieutenant Gividen killed a charging enemy soldier with his carbine and launched a rain of grenades into the hostile positions. At this time he was wounded a second time by an exploding, white phosphorous grenade. Realizing that his group was very vulnerable, he crawled to a position which was parallel to the enemy locations and poured devastating fire into them. He was again attacked by an enemy soldier with a sub-machine gun who wounded him a third time. Killing his attacker, Lieutenant Gividen continued his assault until his ammunition was expended. While returning to his patrol, he collapsed from shock and loss of blood. Inspired by Lieutenant Gividen’s heroic example the patrol fought off the enemy as they left their positions, while one member of the patrol pulled Lieutenant Gividen back into the patrol perimeter. Having regained consciousness, he again assumed command, setting up a security guard and personally acting as rear guard during the evacuation of all the other wounded of his unit. When approaching friendly lines the group was brought under heavy enemy mortar fire, wounding Lieutenant Gividen for the fourth time in the neck and the shoulder. Lieutenant Gividen’s patrol successfully neutralized the enemy outpost and returned to friendly lines with all their wounded, thus preventing any loss of American lives. The extraordinary heroism exhibited by Lieutenant Gividen on this occasion reflects great credit on himself and is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service.

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry), [then First Lieutenant]

    Action Date:

    July 23, 1956

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 46 (October 16, 1956)

    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 Captain (Infantry), [then First Lieutenant] George Massie Gividen, Jr. (ASN: 0-64146), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Student Detachment, Headquarters THIRD Army, Fort McPherson Georgia, with station at Vanderbilt University, Tennessee, on 23 July 1956. While fishing from the bank of the Cumberland River, Captain Gividen observed a civilian being thrown from lurching motorboat. The man was struck by the unoccupied, circling boat, and injured to the extent that further swimming was rendered impossible, and remaining afloat was difficult. The man shouted for aid, and Captain Gividen, a leg amputee, unhesitatingly, at great personal hazard entered the river and swam to the rescue of the helpless man. Observing that the man was still in danger of being struck again by the circling boat, Captain Gividen, at risk of being struck himself and mutilated by the propeller, swam into the approximate path of the boat to thrust a floating limb into the path of a speeding vessel. This action stopped the careening boat. He then towed the helpless man to shore. Captain Gividen’s quick thinking, prompt and courageous actions at the threat of his own life, saved the man from further mutilation and probably from drowning, reflecting great credit on himself and military service.