Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Armor)

    Division:

    4th Armored Division

    Action Date:

    April 11, 1962

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 67 (December 14, 1962)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Captain (Armor) Max J. Wilson (ASN: 0-84897), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Headquarters Company, 4th Armored Division, United States Forces, Europe, on 11 April 1962, near Rimback, Germany. When Captain Wilson detected an Ordinance Battalion tent on fire in the middle of the night, he rushed to the tent giving the alarm on the way. Although he was handicapped by a painful ankle caused by a previous injury, he unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, entered the burning tent to search for sleeping occupants. While flaming debris was falling about and the tent was in a state of impending collapse and contained the fuel tank of the tent stove, Captain Wilson fought the intense smoke fumes, unzipped sleeping bags to ensure there were no occupants, and continued his diligent search until he was assured that the tent was unoccupied. Captain Wilson’s courageous action in this emergency reflects great credit upon himself and the military service. (This award supersedes the previous award of the Army Commendation Medal to Captain Wilson for meritorious achievement on 11 April 1962 as announced in Journal Orders No. 74, Headquarters, 4th Armored Division, 28 July 1962.)