Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Division:

    24th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    May 21, 1962

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 17 (April 12, 1963)

    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 Sergeant First Class Robert W. Levitt, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 24th Aviation Company, 24th Infantry Division, United States Army, at Augsburg Army Airfield, Augsburg, Germany on 21 May 1962. Sergeant Levitt was on duty in the 24th Aviation Company hangar, when a helicopter flown by a pilot of the Company crashed, capsized and within seconds began to burn. He quickly secured the nearest fire extinguisher and rushed to the scene of the accident. Upon reaching the aircraft, he realized extinguisher would not subdue the flames surrounding the trapped aviator. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Levitt voluntarily proceeded to physically rupture the bubble of the helicopter by kicking and pulling it apart with his hands. He then entered the burning cockpit of the helicopter, freed the trapped pilot from his seat belt and shoulder harness, and with the assistance of other personnel on the scene, placed him at a safe distance away from the hazardous wreckage just prior to the exploding of the gas tanks. Sergeant Levitt’s prompt and heroic action in this emergency is in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit on himself and the military service.