Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Navy and Marine Corps Medal

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    5th Marines

    Division:

    1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF

    Action Date:

    September 3, 1970

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Sergeant Glen Verle Armstrong (MCSN: 1986297), United States Marine Corps, for heroism while serving as the 81-mm. Mortar Platoon Sergeant, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in the Republic of Vietnam. On the night of 3 September 1970, while Sergeant Armstrong’s men were preparing a large amount of ordnance for an anticipated early morning fire mission, friction ignited the primer and cartridge of one of the rounds which, in turn, resulted in fire within the round and canister. Realizing the imminent danger of the round’s detonating and causing the explosion of all the ordnance in the pit, Sergeant Armstrong immediately directed his companions to seek safety, then, seizing a protective jacket he quickly threw it over the burning ordnance and, despite the danger that the round might explode at any minute threw the round several feet distant and into a pool of water outside the defensive berm. Sergeant Armstrong’s courage, bold initiative, and selfless devotion to duty at extreme personal risk saved his fellow Marines from serious injury or possible death and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.