Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
David
Richard
Bernstein
KIA (GWOT)
April 14,1979

–

October 18, 2003

Cemetery:

U.S. Military Academy Post Cemetery

David Bernstein was valedictorian at his suburban Philadelphia high school and graduated fifth in his class at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 2001. He was killed in action while serving as a U.S. Army First Lieutenant in 2003, in Iraq.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade

    Division:

    101st Airborne Division, Attached to the 4th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    October 18, 2003
    DoD Valor Database – valor.defense.gov

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) David Richard Bernstein, United States Army, for exceptionally valorous achievement while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, attached to the 4th Infantry Division, on 18 October 2003, while on patrol in Qutash, Iraq, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. First Lieutenant Bernstein, under extreme enemy fire, risked his life in an effort to rescue one of his soldiers. Although suffering from a mortar wound, First Lieutenant Bernstein extracted the driver to safety, directed the security of his objective, and repulsed the enemy forces before succumbing to his wounds. First Lieutenant Bernstein’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the 4th Infantry Division, Combined Joint Task Force SEVEN, and the United States Army.