Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Signal Corps), [then First Lieutenant]

    Action Date:

    October 20, 1963

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 45 (December 1, 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 Captain (Signal Corps), [then First Lieutenant] Leonard A. Curcio (ASN: 0-2281337), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 101st Signal Battalion, New York Army National Guard, on 20 October 1963 near Hasings, New York. Captain Curcio was driving on a New York highway. when he came upon a vehicle accident with one of the cars on fire. Observing that the injured occupants of both vehicles add been placed on the road in close proximity to the burning vehicle, he tried to smother the fire in the car trunk by inserting a fire extinguisher into an opening between the frame and the trunk door. Then, with the assistance of a patrolman on the scene Captain Curcio succeeded in getting the trunk key from the ignition and, after a series of maneuvers, managed to yank open to trunk door and apply the fire extinguisher to the blaze until the foam was expended. Although forced back momentarily by the intense heat, he darted forward again, and tore the burning material from the trunk. In this effort he sustained severe burns on both arms. Through his courageous actions and determination, he prevented a possible explosion and further injury to the people on the scene. Captain Curcio’s heroic conduct is in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself in the military service.