Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    September 9, 1963

    Headquarters, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, General Orders No. 394 (October 6, 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 Captain (Infantry) Jerome A. Bruschette (ASN: 0-82453), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy. Captain Bruschette distinguished himself by heroic action on 9 September 1963, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date he was serving as Senior American Advisor to a Vietnamese Strike Force combat patrol against the Viet Cong. At the time he was directing a river crossing operation of three teams from his camp. Due to the lack of fording equipment, he was directing a human chain-type crossing, when a Vietnamese soldier, heavily equipped and burdened with heavy supplies was swept from his feet by the current and dragged out of the crossing line by the rushing water. Realizing the seriousness of the situation and the apparent likelihood of drowning, Captain Bruschette, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, reacting instantaneously, plunged from the bank into the water and swam to the thrashing soldier. He dragged the individual up and out of the current and pushed him to the safety of the near bank. Through his alertness, quick action and total disregard for his own personal safety, Captain Bruschette prevented an untimely and tragic death. Captain Bruschette’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

    Division:

    1st Special Forces

    Action Date:

    August 1966 – July 1967

    Headquarters, U.S. Army Vietnam, General Orders No. 4033 (August 9, 1967)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Major (Infantry) Jerome A. Bruschette (ASN: 0-82453), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States with Company D, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in the Republic of Vietnam from August 1966 to July 1967.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

    Division:

    1st Special Forces

    Action Date:

    January 4, 1967

    Headquarters, U.S. Army Vietnam, General Orders No. 1210 (March 20, 1967)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Jerome A. Bruschette (ASN: 0-82453), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Bruschette distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 4 January 1967 while serving as a Special Forces Advisor to a Vietnamese Strike Force during search and destroy operations near Nui Giai Mountain. While Captain Bruschette led his company in seeking out pockets of enemy resistance, his men received fire from caves in a mountainous area. Unable to mount a unified assault against the insurgents, he single-handedly charged the caves. Although he had no cover from the intense fire, he succeeded in reaching the hostile emplacements, killed an insurgent at point blank range and, seconds later, killed another entrenched nearby. Inspired by his aggressiveness, his company followed and drove the twenty remaining Viet Cong down the mountainside. When the rear elements began to receive intense fire from above, Captain Bruschette led a handful of men to their relief. At the point of contact, he ordered his men to remain in place, while he moved alone through the devastating fire to the cut off troops. As forty insurgents moved in on them, he ordered the men to return to the main force, while he stayed behind to cover the withdrawal. Disregarding the friendly mortar fire falling close by, Captain Bruschette killed an insurgent fifteen feet away and recaptured a grenade launcher. His ammunition exhausted, he was forced to return to his men, and later led them down the mountain under cover of darkness. Captain Bruchette’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    502d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    101st Airborne Division

    Action Date:

    June 9, 1969

    Headquarters, 101st Airborne Division, General Orders No. 8916 (July 16, 1969)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) Jerome A. Bruschette (ASN: 0-82453), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 9 June 1969. Major Bruschette distinguished himself while serving as Operations Officer for the 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. During the early morning hours on the cited date, Viet Cong soldiers launched a massive mortar attack against Fire Support Base CURRAHEE, Republic of Vietnam. The accuracy of the enemy fire forced all personnel in the vicinity to take cover, leaving many of the wounded laying in the open. Major Bruschette resolutely left the Battalion Tactical Operations Center and moved through the intense mortar fire to carry the wounded soldiers to safety. The barrage, which consisted of more than 50 rounds, continued for approximately two hours and during the entire time Major Bruschette risked his life moving from bunker to bunker to pull out the wounded and assist them to the aid station or to the safety of the operations bunker. As he pulled the wounded in, he used his body as a shield until such time as he was able to get the man to a safe area. In one instance, he moved through the barrage to the artillery fire center which had taken a direct hit, pullout the wounded, and then directed medical aidmen to the position. He reestablished the artillery unit’s chain of command and organized the evacuation procedures. Major Bruschette’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    502d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    101st Airborne Division

    Action Date:

    June 15, 1969

    Headquarters, 101st Airborne Division, General Orders No. 9672 (July 26, 1969)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) Jerome A. Bruschette (ASN: 0-82453), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 15 June 1969. Major Bruschette distinguished himself while serving as Battalion Operations Officer, 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in the Republic of Vietnam. In the early morning hours of the cited date, a North Vietnamese Army sapper company launched an attach against Fire Support Base CURRAHEE. The initial contact seriously wounded the perimeter defense officer and his platoon leader. Major Bruschette immediately carried the wounded platoon leader through rocket propelled grenade and small arms fire to the aid station 200 meters away. Upon returning to the bunker line, he discovered two enemy soldiers attempting to penetrate the perimeter. He assaulted their position and silenced them. For the remainder of the attack, he moved from position to position reorganizing the troops and directing the redistribution of ammunition and the utilization of the reaction force. In the morning after the attack, he led a small team on a sweep of the perimeter when five insurgents, hiding in a depression, fired a rocket propelled grenade which wounded Major Bruschette. Assaulting and firing as he advanced, he single-handedly silenced all five enemy soldiers. As a result of his actions, only six friendly troops were wounded during the five hour defense of the fire base. Major Bruschette’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    502d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    101st Airborne Division

    Action Date:

    March 23, 1969

    Headquarters, 101st Airborne Division, General Orders No. 4822 (May 19, 1969)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Infantry) Jerome A. Bruschette (ASN: 0-82453), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam on 23 March 1969. Major Bruschette distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action while serving as Operations Officer, 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. Major Bruschette was conducting a visual reconnaissance and liaison visit to his units in the assigned area of operations near Narn Hoa District, Republic of Vietnam, when he diverted his aircraft in order to support friendly elements in contact with an enemy force. He quickly evaluated the situation and maneuvered his aircraft into a blocking position to prevent the enemy from withdrawing from the area. He continuously remained unprotected from ground fire to direct the aircraft in low level flight, effectively blocking the enemy movement. When the ground element ran low on ammunition, he personally re-supplied the element, again under direct hostile ground fire. During the entire period he continuously demonstrated complete disregard for his own safety, directing the aircraft to the best tactical advantage, making repeated trips into the hostile zone and blocking the enemy escape. Major Bruschette’s outstanding flying ability and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

    Division:

    1st Special Forces

    Action Date:

    September 22, 1966

    Headquarters, U.S. Army Vietnam, General Orders No. 366 (January 26, 1967)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Jerome A. Bruschette (ASN: 0-82453), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Bruschette distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 22 September 1966 while serving as Special Forces Advisor to a Vietnamese unit during a search and destroy mission. His company found itself pinned down in flat jungle terrain by 30 Viet Cong fortified in caves and bunkers. Despite mines, booby traps and punji stake man traps, Captain Bruschette led a handful of men in an assault directly into their fire. During the assault he called in artillery fire and did not lift it until his men could feel the falling shrapnel as they advanced. Disregarding the renewed hostile fire, he continued his charge through a minefield and single-handedly destroyed a hostile emplacement, killing two Viet Cong and wounding one. This bold attack frightened all of the Viet Cong into deserting their positions. Captain Bruschette did not slacken his pace, however, and followed their blood trails to a hidden base camp nearby. His fast pursuit of the Viet Cong led him to a battalion-sized base camp. His entire assault resulted in one wounded and seven dead insurgents, large quantities of documents, ammunition and medical supplies captured, and 50 houses destroyed. Captain Bruchette’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.