Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Action Date:

    December 7, 1964

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 5 (February 23, 1966)

    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 First Class Wilgus H. Walters, Jr., United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy on 7 December 1964 at the 19th United States Army Missile Detachment in Greece. Private Walters was in a nearby Day Room when he saw flames shooting out of the door of the boiler room of the mess hall. He picked up a fire extinguisher, rushed to the scene of the fire, and observed fuel spilling on the blaze through a damaged electrical connection. Despite warnings by fellow soldiers of the impending explosion of the fuel oil tank in the burning building, he displayed complete disregard for his own safety and entered the boiler room that was already engulfed in flames. Although he sustained many severe shocks by the shorted electrical connections, he remained in the blazing inferno for over 20 minutes and succeeded in controlling the fire. His prompt actions and indomitable courage were responsible for saving the entire building from total destruction. Private Walters’ heroic conduct in this hazardous emergency situation is in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.