Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Master Sergeant

    Regiment:

    38th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    September 21, 1950

    Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 92 (November 24, 1950)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Sergeant Robert T. Veach (ASN: RA-6241979), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Tank Company, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 21 September 1950 in the vicinity of Tangsan, Korea. On that date Sergeant Veach was tank commander of an armored force attached to a rifle company attacking a bitterly defended enemy position. In the attack Sergeant Veach’s tank sustained three direct hits from enemy anti-tank guns. It burst into flames and forced the crew to abandon it. Perceiving that the tank was beginning to roll down a hill and was rapidly gaining momentum Sergeant Veach, with complete indifference for his personal safety, dashed through intense enemy machine gun and small arms fire, climbed into it and applied the brakes. Although he was painfully burned about the face and hands he nevertheless crawled to the rear deck of the tank and standing fully exposed to the enemy fire covered the withdrawal of his comrades by manning the .50 caliber machine gun. As a result of his intrepid action he enabled his crew to reach safety and saved a valuable combat vehicle for further use against the enemy. The gallantry displayed by Sergeant Veach on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.