Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Division:

    25th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    January 22, 1943

    Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the South Pacific Area, General Orders No. 63 (March 17, 1943)

    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) Teddy Deese (ASN: 0-397133), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 25th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized), 25th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 22 January 1943 at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. By enthusiastic persistence, Captain Deese convinced his superior officers of the practicability of the use of tanks in a mountainous area in which forty enemy machine gun nests were located and where the Infantry used in operations in this area had made unsuccessful attempted to accomplish their objective. Captain Deese, without opportunity for normal reconnaissance, commanded a light tank and directed it in an attack through dense jungle terrain. The point blank fire of the 37-mm. cannon expertly operated by Captain Deese destroyed eight enemy machine gun nests, thereby cracking the ring of resistance which had held up an infantry regiment for three weeks and permitting infantry troops to clear out completely the center of resistance there. Captain Deese’s outstanding leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.