Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Batallion:

    75th Support Battalion

    Regiment:

    1st Brigade

    Division:

    5th Infantry Division (Mechanized)

    Action Date:

    May 20 – 31, 1970

    Headquarters, XXIV Corps, General Orders No. 146 (February 13, 1971)

    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 pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant George Shaughnessy, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Shaughnessy distinguished himself by valorous actions during the period 20 May 1970 to 31 May 1970, while serving as a medical corpsman at Fire Support Base FULLER. On 20 May 1970 he learned that an American advisor had been wounded by sniper fire outside the bunker complex. Disregarding his own safety, Sergeant Shaughnessy approached the wounded officer through heavy enemy sniper fire. Cautioning others to stay under cover, he picked up the wounded officer and carried him to the safety of a nearby bunker. On 21 May 1970 the South Vietnamese Command Post received a direct mortar hit which severely wounded four ARVN officers and enlisted men. Although mortar rounds were exploding within twenty feet of his position Sergeant Shaughnessy risked his life to go to the aid of the wounded personnel. On 22 May 1970 he again braved hostile mortar rounds in order to administer medical treatment to an American enlisted man wounded by shrapnel. During another mortar attack on 23 May 1970, Sergeant Shaughnessy again carried a wounded man to a bunker despite the nearby explosion of incoming mortar rounds. On 25 May a man received a shrapnel wound during an enemy mortar attack and once more Sergeant Shaughnessy, without regard for his own safety, administered medical aid to him during the continuing mortar barrage. On 31 May 1970 the base was under an indirect fire attack for the fourteenth straight day, and two American soldiers were wounded. Again braving the explosion of incoming mortar rounds, Sergeant Shaughnessy left the security of his bunker in order to aid the injured men. Throughout this period, Sergeant Shaughnessy repeatedly risked his life in order to save the lives of his fellow soldiers. Sergeant Shaughnessy’s heroism was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.