Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Specialist Fifth Class

    Batallion:

    7th Signal Battalion

    Action Date:

    September 9, 1963

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 15 (April 23, 1964)

    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 Specialist Fifth Class Billy H. King, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 7th Signal Battalion (Service), on 9 September 1963, at the Regent Park Zoo, London, England. While Specialist King and a fellow soldier were walking across a bridge spanning a canal, they heard the cries of a young boy and saw him pointing to a little boy floundering helplessly in the canal. They ran to the bank of the canal, jumped on a retaining wall extending approximately three feet above the water, and saw the struggling child submerge. With complete disregard for his own personal safety and unaware of the depth or obstacles in the canal, Specialist King leaped fully clothed into the canal to rescue the child. Upon reaching the point where the boy had submerged, he dove beneath the surface, located the child and towed him to the retaining wall where his comrade lifted the boy out of the water. After administering first aid, they carried the child to a nearby aid station for further treatment. Specialist King’s prompt and heroic actions are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. [This award supersedes award of the Army Commendation Medal for heroism on 9 September 1963 as announced in General Borders Number 1, Headquarters, United States Army Element, Shape, dated 23 January 1964.]