Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Action Date:

    May 11, 1964

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 2 (February 5, 1965)

    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 Private James D. Whitlow, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 45th Company, 4th Student Battalion, The Student Brigade, United States Army Infantry School, on 11 May 1964, near Fort Benning, Georgia. As an airborne student, Private Whitlow was flying to a drop zone to perform his first of five qualifying parachute jumps when the aircraft developed engine trouble, crashed and burned. Although he was pinned to his seat by the wreckage, he succeeded in freeing himself with the assistance of another jumper. Then, with complete disregard for his own personal safety and ignoring his severely cut hand sustained in the initial impact, he extricated another jumper who was covered with flaming gasoline and entangled in the blazing wreckage. After participating in the rapid removal of the burning man to a place of safety, he continued his courageous efforts by assisting in extinguishing the flames on the body of his fellow soldier. Private Whitlow’s prompt, unselfish, and heroic actions in this emergency are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the milked a service.