Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Field Artillery)

    Batallion:

    6th Missile Battalion

    Regiment:

    43d Artillery

    Action Date:

    February 12, 1962

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 26 (May 10, 1962)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting the Soldier’s Medal (Posthumously) to Captain (Field Artillery) Cornwallis King, Jr. (ASN: 0-1915456), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy at Omaha Air Force Station, Omaha, Nebraska, on 12 February 1962, while a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 6th Missile Battalion (NIKR-HERCULES), 43rd Artillery. When a crane that was being used to unload and position bulky electronic equipment struck an overhead power line, Captain King immediately realized the imminent electrical hazard to his men and rushed to their rescue. Upon contact with the high-voltage lines, a flow of direct current passed through the cables, the load of the crane, and through the two soldiers who were guiding the load into damp ground. Although the electrical charge thrust one man into the clear, the other still held on to the load. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Captain King unselfishly and heroically lunged against this man, knocking him to safety, and lost his own life when he came in contact with the electrically charged equipment. Captain King’s courageous act of self-sacrifice for a fellow soldier was in the highest tradition of the United States Army, and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.