Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class [then Technician Fifth Grade]

    Action Date:

    November 6, 1946

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 40 (December 9, 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 Sergeant First Class [then Technician Fifth Grade] Joseph J. Milewski, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy on 6 November 1946, in Germany while serving as a member of the 68th Constabulary Squadron, 3d Constabulary Regiment, United States Army European Land Group. When a fire broke out in the Squadron’s ammunition dump, Sergeant Milewski was among the first volunteers to arrive on the scene to extinguish the extremely dangerous blaze. With complete disregard for his own safety, he entered the room adjacent to one in which small grenades and ammunition were exploding and succeeded in evacuating artillery shells, land mines and other grenades. Despite the dense smoke and hazardous conditions, he continued to fight the fire for over half an hour until a unit from the German civilian fire department arrived on the scene. Sergeant Milewski’s heroic conduct in this emergency is in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.