Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Division:

    90th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    July 5, 1944

    Headquarters, 90th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 49 (August 30, 1944)

    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 Coleman C. Howell (ASN: 38178478), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy while serving with the 90th Infantry Division in northern France. On 5 July 1944 near ***, France, the trailer towed by a truck in which six cannoneers were riding, caught fire due to a short circuit in an electric wire. The trailer was loaded with high explosives and the fire threatened to spread rapidly. Private Howell with complete disregard for his own personal safety leapt into the flames, disconnected the trailer enabling the truck to pull away to a place of safety and saving the lives of the six enlisted men.