Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    23d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    March 7, 1951

    Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 192 (June 18, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private Daniel D. Cunningham (ASN: ER-35847668), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company D, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 7 March 1951, near Unjinal, Korea. On that date he was a machine gunner attached to a friendly unit which was pinned down. Realizing that the unit might be wiped out by enemy machine gun and sniper fire, Private Cunningham, with complete disregard for his personal safety, moved his machine gun to a more favorable position from which he could place effective fire upon the enemy. So effective was his fire that the unit was able to withdraw to more tenable positions. He remained in this partially exposed position until the last man had withdrawn to safety, and only then did he attempt to rejoin the unit. He was killed by enemy sniper fire during this action, but his courageous action enabled the unit to withdraw without a single casualty. The gallant conduct of Private Cunningham on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.