Navy Federal Credit Union

Benjamin Landis graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1946. He retired in 1973 as a U.S. Army Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Armor), [then Major]

    Batallion:

    3d Reconnaissance Squadron

    Regiment:

    3d Armored Cavalry Regiment

    Action Date:

    August 24, 1962

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 43 (September 27, 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 Lieutenant Colonel (Armor), [then Major] Benjamin Lester Landis, Jr., United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Headquarters, 3d Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, United States Forces, Europe, on 24 August 1962, near Patersbach, Germany. When Colonel Landis observed a soldier pinned under an overturned two and one-half ton truck which was engulfed in flames and loaded with ammunition, he unhesitatingly went to his aid. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he attempted to extricate the trapped man from the blazing wreckage, characterized by dense smoke, choking fumes, and live ammunition exploding every few seconds, hurling fragments in all directions. Despite the inferno of flames and the severe injury suffered by another volunteer rescue worker, he continued his diligent efforts until the trapped soldier was pulled to safety. Colonel Landis’ prompt and your role at action in this emergency is in the highest tradition of the United States Army and reflects great credit on himself in the military service.