Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    Foreign

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    The Border Regiment

    Division:

    British Army

    Action Date:

    September 22 & 23, 1944

    Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 18 (February 20, 1945)

    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 Major Charles Fred Osborne Breese, British Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Officer Commanding, D Company, 1st Battalion, The Border Regiment, in action against enemy forces during the battle of Arnhem, Belgium, on 22 and 23 September 1944. Major Breeze, with a scratch force of one platoon of the Border Regiment, forty parachutists and thirty-five other soldiers, went to the southern flank of a brigade sector with orders to stabilize the position and to be prepared to counter-attack the enemy. Upon reaching the area, the small force was subjected to intense enemy mortar and artillery fire which caused heavy casualties. The situation was critical, but Major Breeze immediately asserted his authority, and by his own personal bearing and gallantry soothed the remainder of the force and established control of the situation.