Navy Federal Credit Union

A graduate of Clemson University, Deborah Burnette may well have been the first Navy woman to be awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal.

Awards Received

  • Navy and Marine Corps Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Ensign

    Action Date:

    October 28, 1974

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Ensign Deborah Ann Burnette, United States Navy, for heroism while assigned to the Navy Internal Relations Activity, Washington, D.C. on 28 October 1974. Upon hearing a woman scream at the parking lot of her residence in Alexandria, Virginia, Ensign Burnette observed, in the dim light from street lights, a two-year old girl darting between two parked cards into the path of a speeding automobile. The driver of the automobile had his interior light on and was looking away from the direction of the child. Ensign Burnette, with complete disregard for her own safety and fully aware of the personal danger involved, unhesitatingly ran into the street, grabbed the child, and tumbled to the pavement out of the path of the speeding automobile. Although Ensign Burnette was painfully injured in the rescue, the child was unharmed. Her courageous and prompt action in the face of great personal risk undoubtedly saved the child from serious injury or death and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Deborah Ann Burnette, United States Navy, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Deborah Ann Burnette, United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.