Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    32d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    7th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    April 30, 1945

    Headquarters, U.S. Forces-Pacific, General Orders No. 322 (November 11, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Robert H. French (ASN: 37365168), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 30 April 1945, at Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands. During an attack against a vital, strongly defended hill near Yunabaru, Okinawa, which formed the eastern anchor of the Japanese Shuri defense line, Company C was halted by heavy enemy machine gun and rifle fire emanating from concealed cave positions. Realizing that the success of the entire battalion’s mission was thus endangered, Private French, an automatic rifleman, with complete disregard for his personal safety and on his own initiative, left his place of cover and boldly moved across the fire-swept terrain to a position from which he could observe the enemy. Immediately, three enemy machine guns and two riflemen opened fire on him from the apertures of three caves. Fearlessly exposing himself to the point-blank fire, Private French walked to within ten yards of the positions and killed the crew of a heavy machine gun. Then shifting his fire, he annihilated the two riflemen and remaining members of two machine gun crews and destroyed the weapon. Realizing that hostile replacements would soon man these emplacements, he courageously remained in his exposed position, covering the caves with his automatic weapon, until friendly troops could be brought up. As his companions were advancing he was mortally wounded by a sniper’s fire. Private First Class French single-handedly killed 11 enemy soldiers, neutralized three automatic weapons, and made possible the successful completion of his battalion’s mission and though his indomitable fighting spirit, gallant initiative and sustained courage in the face of overwhelming odds, set an inspiring example worthy of the highest traditions of the American soldier.