Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Technical Sergeant

    Batallion:

    27th Armored Infantry Battalion

    Division:

    9th Armored Division

    Action Date:

    March 7, 1945

    Headquarters, FIRST U.S. Army, General Orders No. 49 (March 27, 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 Technical Sergeant Michael Chinchar (ASN: 33024946), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 27th Armored Infantry Battalion, 9th Armored Division, in action against enemy forces on 7 March 1945, in Germany. Upon reaching the Ludendorf railroad bridge crossing the Rhine River, Technical Sergeant Chinchar, aware that the bridge was prepared for demolition, and in the face of heavy machine gun, small arms, and direct 20-mm. gun fire, began a hazardous trip across the span. Although artillery shells and two explosions rocked the bridge, he continued his advance. Upon reaching the bridge towers on the far side, he cleared them of snipers and demolition crews. Still braving intense machine gun and shell fire, he reached the eastern side of the river when he eliminated hostile snipers and gun crews from along the bank and on the face of the bluff overlooking the river. By his outstanding heroism and unflinching valor, Technical Sergeant Chinchar contributed materially to the establishment of the first bridgehead across the Rhine River.