Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    16th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    April 11, 1966

    Headquarters, U.S. Army, Pacific, General Orders No. 191 (August 18, 1966)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) George Charles Steinberg (ASN: 0-5531785), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. On 11 April 1966, First Lieutenant Steinberg, a member of Company C, 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, was in command of the 4th Platoon on a search and destroy mission when at approximately 1700 hours a Viet Cong battalion attempted to encircle Company C. The 4th Platoon was ordered to breach the encirclement. The initial break-out met with an impenetrable barrage of machine gun, grenade, and mortar fire which killed the point man instantly, and severely wounded Lieutenant Steinberg in the arm. In the face of very intensive Viet Cong fire, Lieutenant Steinberg ran forward and reclaimed the soldier’s weapon and equipment to prevent their falling into the hands of the insurgents. While doing this, he discovered the location of a Viet Cong machine gun. Alone and with complete disregard for his own safety, and defying the withering insurgent fire, he charged the machine gun position and placed accurate fire on the insurgents’ position. He annihilated the crew and destroyed the weapon. Lieutenant Steinberg then returned to the perimeter, received hasty first aid for his shattered arm and began reorganizing the defense of his sector. Shortly thereafter, the 4th Platoon was struck by two fanatical Viet Cong assaults, increasing the casualties at an alarming rate. Nevertheless, Lieutenant Steinberg moved from position to position, readjusting his perimeter, encouraging his men, fighting savagely to beat back the waves of insurgents which closed in at point-blank range. Lieutenant Steinberg faced the insurgents with only twelve men, some of these already wounded. When it appeared that they were numerically outnumbered, Lieutenant Steinberg charged straight into the oncoming force, tossing riot control grenades into their midst. The Viet Cong trained their fire on him, striking him again and again. Before he fell, he had thrown six grenades which completely disrupted the Viet Cong’s main effort to overwhelm the company. First Lieutenant Steinberg’s extraordinary heroism, gallantry in action, and supreme sacrifice were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.