Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    311th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    78th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 26, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 56 (1922)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Infantry) Vernon Abram Vrooman, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 3d Battalion, 311th Infantry Regiment, 78th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Grand Pre, France, 26 October 1918. As adjutant of the 3d Battalion Captain Vrooman volunteered and personally reconnoitered under fire the temporary front-line positions of his battalion for location and ammunition supply, when he returned to the command post and collected materials and all available men to carry them forward and preparatory to the jump off early the next morning. Finding that there were not enough men to carry the needed supplies, Captain Vrooman loaded a wheelbarrow with ammunition and personally wheeled it 3 kilometers under fire to the firing line, where he supervised its distribution. At “H” hour, observing a company in need of assistance he attached himself to it and went over the top to the objective. After the position was consolidated, and knowing the importance of executing liaison between the attacking troops and those in Grand Pre, he went to that town and brought to the battalion command post definite information that our lines had been joined up.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    311th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    78th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 26, 1918

    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 5 (June 3, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Captain (Infantry) Vernon A. Vrooman, United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Captain Vrooman distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 3d Battalion, 311th Infantry Regiment, 78th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, France, 26 October 1918, in voluntarily reconnoitering the front lines.