Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class David French (ASN: RA-12759063), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Private First Class French distinguished himself on 6 October 1967 while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company C, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 502d Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. While on a search and destroy mission, Private French’s platoon was pinned down by an extremely heavy volume of enemy automatic weapons fire from a well entrenched and concealed enemy bunker. Realizing the need for immediate action, Private French, with complete disregard for his own safety, began to maneuver through the vicious enemy fire to within hand grenade range of the enemy bunker. As Private French neared the enemy position, a volley of hand grenades were thrown at him in an attempt to stop his progress. Instantly, Private French picked up the grenades nearest him, tossing them back at the enemy bunker in an effort to knock it out. As he neared the enemy bunker, a grenade exploded within five feet of him, knocking him to the ground with fragment wounds of the face, neck and chest. Although bleeding profusely from his painful and serious wounds, he once again, with complete disregard for his own safety, charged through the murderous enemy fire, and succeeded in destroying the enemy bunker with a series of hand grenades. Private French’s outstanding display of gallantry in action and devotion to duty are within the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

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