Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    *** Tank Destroyer Battalion

    Division:

    83d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    August 11, 1944

    Headquarters, 83d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 32 (August 29, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Jean M. Varda (ASN: 0-413637), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the *** Tank Destroyer Battalion, 83d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 11 August 1944, at *****, France. In an attack against the village of *****, the attacking infantry was withdrawn behind an established bomb line to await a friendly bombing attack. Enemy artillery fire was observed coming from the north side of the fortification being attacked. Realizing that this fire would seriously hold up the schedule artillery attacks following the bombing, Captain Varda voluntarily advanced with two enlisted men to an exposed position forward of the bomb line to man a three inch gun. When this gun was destroyed by enemy fire, they moved to the rear, secured another gun, pulled it into position with a quarter tone truck and, despite being subjected to concentrated enemy artillery fire, succeeded in neutralizing the enemy position. Captain Varda’s heroic action reflects great credit upon himself and the finest traditions of the military service.