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Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Master Sergeant Victor G. Pylant (ASN: NG-24894253), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States as a member of Company B, 2d Engineer Combat Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, on 19 April 1952. On that date Sergeant Pylant, perceiving that a trailer loaded with one thousand pounds of explosives might blow up due to a rapidly spreading fire within six feet of it, voluntarily directed and accompanied a vehicle and driver into an area already devastated by blast and still undergoing secondary explosions in order to remove the trailer. With complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Pylant and one of his comrades hitched the trailer of explosives to the vehicle and then directed the driver in removing the trailer to a safe place. By his quickness of action and courage, Sergeant Pylant not only saved the trailer and explosives from destruction but also spared the company area from further severe damage and relieved the danger to other personnel. The outstanding performance and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Pylant reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.

Awards Received

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Master Sergeant

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    23d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    March 10, 1952
    Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 189 (April 10, 1952)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Master Sergeant Victor G. Pylant (ASN: NG-24894253), United States Army, for heroic achievement as a member of Company A, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the vicinity of Homsok-Tong, Korea. On 10 March 1952, Sergeant Pylant was sent out to check a minefield in front of company A, with two other Engineer soldiers and an Infantryman guide. While moving cautiously along the mine infested area, the Infantryman accidentally tripped an anti-personnel mine. All four men were knocked down by the impact of the mine, and one of them fell into a second trip wire, detonating another mine. Although Sergeant Pylant was painfully wounded, his first thought was for his seriously wounded comrades. With complete disregard for his own safety and the danger of striking still another mine, he went to the aid of the wounded men and, half carrying and half guiding them, brought them out of the minefield to a place of safety. Sergeant Pylant’s loyalty to his fellow comrades will live forever in the hearts of his comrades, and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.