Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Action Date:

    July 25, 1963

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 3 (January 28, 1964)

    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 Sergeant Robert E. O’Rear, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy on 25 July 1963, near Elizabeth, North Carolina, while serving as a member of Headquarters Company, United States Army Airborne, Electronics and Special Welfare Board, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. As Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of a Team testing antennas, Sergeant O’Rear was directing the lowering of a test antenna from a position between the antenna and a 7,200 volt power line when the lowering line snagged on the vehicle to which the antenna was attached. The antenna stopped his descent and leaned toward the powerline. While one of the soldiers found and released the snagged line, another was balancing the antenna when it started to fall toward the power line. Upon observing the falling antenna and realizing the great danger to the man balancing it, Sergeant O’Rear completely disregarded his own personal safety, leapt toward the mast, knocking it out of the soldiers stand as it made contact with the power line, and saving the life of a fellow soldier at the sacrifice of his own. Sergeant O’Rear’s heroic action is in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself in the military service.