Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Action Date:

    February 16, 1944

    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 Private John E. Hinde, United States Army, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, at Cook’s Bay, Alaska, on 16 February 1944. On that date, Private Hinde saw a barge loaded with heavy Government machinery break loose from its moorings and start drifting toward the open sea. Realizing that if the barge reached open water the strong wind blowing at that time would probably blow it onto a rocky shore and cause destruction of the barge and equipment, he, without orders and without regard for his own safety, took a row boat and started after the barge. The water was rough and extremely cold. With strenuous efforts he was able to overtake the barge after it had drifted several hundred yards. Upon boarding it he tied some ropes onto three pulleys weighing about 1,000 pounds each. With extraordinary effort he pried, shoved and beat on the pulleys with a heavy timber until they fell overboard and anchored the barge. At the time the barge was stopped it was within a hundred feet of the rocks. Private Hinde’s display of courage and initiative, without regard for his personal safety, reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.