Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Gunnery Sergeant

    Batallion:

    Aircraft Squadrons

    Regiment:

    2d Marine Brigade (Nicaragua)

    Action Date:

    November 5, 1927 – November 4, 1928

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Gunnery Sergeant Albert S. Munsch (MCSN: 184689), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an airplane pilot attached to Aircraft Squadrons, Second Brigade, United States Marine Corps, operating in the Republic of Nicaragua on 14 January 1928, during an attack against a strong force of bandits under the command of General Sandino, occupying a prepared position on Chipote Mountain. The force of which Gunnery Sergeant Munsch was a pilot attacked the position and persisted in the attack in the face of heavy rifle and machine gun fire until the bandits were put to flight after suffering from the effects of well directed aircraft fire. The defeat of this force was of great importance to the successful accomplishment of the mission of our forces, as it resulted in many of the bandits fleeing across the frontier to Honduras and many others deserting their leader, so that thereafter no such large concentrations were ever again encountered. During his service with the Aircraft Squadrons, extending from 5 November 1927 to 4 November 1928, Gunnery Sergeant Munsch performed 827 hours of flying time over heavily wooded and mountainous country and made many contacts with bandit forces in all of which he displayed a high order of skill, courage and devotion to duty.