Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Regiment:

    117th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    30th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    March 25, 1945

    Headquarters, 30th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 128 (May 23, 1945)

    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 First Class Cecil V. Cowan (ASN: 42098173), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 25 March 1945, in Germany. When the advance of Private First Class Cowan’s company was halted by intense enemy fire, a light machine gun section moved forward and placed fire on the enemy positions. Private First Class Cowan, an ammunition bearer, realizing that the machine gun’s ammunition supply was dangerously low, immediately started forward to deliver this ammunition. While advancing, the concentrated enemy fire directed at him forced him to take cover. Private First Class Cowan immediately started forward again when he was wounded in several places by the fire. Despite his painful wounds, Private First Class Cowan continued forward but was killed by the enemy fire. Private First Class Cowan’s heroic self-sacrifice will be a lasting inspiration to his comrades, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.