Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Master Sergeant

    Batallion:

    18th Engineer Combat Battalion

    Division:

    7th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    February 12 – 13, 1951

    Headquarters, 7th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 389 (August 8, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Master Sergeant DeWitt Bennett, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 18th Engineer Combat Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Hoengsong, Korea, on 12-13 February 1951. On these dates, Sergeant Bennett assisted his unit in constructing an escape route for a task force which was withdrawing to avoid an enemy encirclement. After the task was completed he was with the rear elements of the forces traveling in convoy when they were ambushed by a numerically superior enemy force. Immediately, Sergeant Bennett began to organize the men and establish a defense perimeter. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he continually exposed himself to intense enemy small arms, Automatic weapons, and mortar fire to direct the men to positions and point out targets . He remained exposed during the ensuing action, administering first aid to the wounded and directing the actions of the group. As a result of the example of extreme heroism of Sergeant Bennett, the small group was able to repulse the fanatic enemy attacks and allow the column to escape with negligible casualties.