Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Specialist Fourth Class

    Batallion:

    1st Squadron

    Regiment:

    11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

    Action Date:

    July 18, 1968

    Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam, General Orders No. 1538 (October 28, 1968)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Specialist Fourth Class Jack Bryant, United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 18 July 1968, while serving as a Medical Aidman with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Specialist Bryant was participating in a mounted sweep operation being conducted through a rubber plantation when the friendly force was suddenly engaged by a North Vietnamese Army patrol with an intense volume of small arms, automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire. In the opening moments of the battle, Specialist Bryant was painfully wounded and rendered unconscious. Regaining consciousness only to find himself temporarily blinded, he calmly waited until his vision returned and then moved to assist the friendly casualties. Specialist Bryant repeatedly exposed himself to the intense enemy fire as he moved among the wounded administering emergency first aid. After he had treated five wounded soldiers, he unhesitatingly took command of an armored cavalry assault vehicle and drove it two kilometers under enemy fire to the nearest landing zone from which the friendly casualties could be evacuated. Throughout the battle, Specialist Bryant served as a source of inspiration to his comrades and was responsible for saving of many American lives. Specialist Fourth Class Bryant’s courage in the face of intense enemy fire and selfless devotion to the welfare of his comrades in arms were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.