Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    Foreign

    Rank:

    Sergeant Major

    Division:

    Army of the Federal Republic of Germany

    Action Date:

    July 30, 1970

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 31 (July 1, 1970)

    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 Sergeant Major Hans G. Pauls, Army of the Federal Republic of Germany, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the German Liaison Office, United States Army Field Artillery School, Fort sill, Oklahoma by his heroic life-saving action near Miami, Florida on 30 July 1970. Exhibiting extreme courage and disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Major Pauls responded to the cries for help from a woman and her husband who, while swimming in the Atlantic Ocean, were caught in a strong undertow and were in danger of being drowned. Sergeant Major Pauls reached the woman successfully, overcame her hysterical actions, and safely assisted her to shore. He then organized other citizens present and led a search for her husband, who had by this time disappeared. The man was found 10 minutes later about 20 yards offshore, but all attempts to revive him proved unsuccessful. Sergeant Major Paul’s heroic actions reflect great credit upon him in the German Armed Forces.