Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant [then Private First Class]

    Regiment:

    119th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    30th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    April 15, 1945

    Headquarters, 30th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 171 (June 27, 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 Sergeant [then Private First Class] Ernest Cronin (ASN: 35713757), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 15 April 1945, in Germany. When he perceived that his squad was in grave danger of being annihilated by two enemy self-propelled guns with supporting infantrymen, Sergeant Cronin order ed his men to withdraw while he gallantly rose in the face of the hail of enemy fire to kill five of the enemy and pin the others down. He maintained his short bursts of fire until his men had safely reached their objective. Sergeant Cronin then made his way through savage fire to rejoin his men and organize them in defensive positions. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Sergeant Cronin, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.