Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Regiment:

    350th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    88th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    April 19, 1945

    Headquarters, 88th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 76 (June 14, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Osvaldo I. Becerra, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company F, 350th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division, in action on 19 April 1945, near Badala, Italy. On this morning Company F attacked a strongly defended enemy position. As the company neared its objective two enemy machine guns suddenly delivered intense, deadly fire among our troops pinning down the leading elements and forcing the others to disperse and take cover. Private Becerra, an automatic rifleman, acting on his own initiative immediately assumed control of the four men nearest him and led them into an attack on the closer of the two enemy guns. Under continued enemy fire, he skillfully led his men and crawled to a mound a short distance from the enemy gun from which point an assault could be made. Having exhausted his supply of grenades in a previous firefight Private Becerra cleverly tossed a rock into the machine gun nest as he boldly rushed the enemy position. Firing his BAR as he charged forward, Private Becerra killed one enemy soldier, wounded one other, and forced the remainder to flee in disorder. Private Becerra, however, was seriously wounded in the leg and while he waited for medical aid he saw another automatic rifleman whose weapon had ceased to function. In spite of his great pain and the constant enemy fire, Private Becerra crawled to the side of his comrade, exchanged guns with him before permitting himself to be evacuated. Private Becerra, by his display of outstanding initiative, and remarkable gallantry under enemy fire, materially aided in the success of the company’s mission and has merited the respect and admiration of all the officers and men of his company.