Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    26th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    November 8, 1942

    Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 33 (December 7, 1942)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private John Newton Middlemas (ASN: 0-2262644/6830341), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the vicinity of Aine et Turk, Algeria, 8 November 1942. During the Oran Offensive, Private Middlemas, with utter disregard of personal safety, succeeded in entering a building which protected an enemy machine gun crew and forced the surrender of six men manning the gun. By his courageous deed, Private Middlemas eliminated an enemy obstacle and assisted in the advance of the 3d Platoon, Company E, 26th Infantry Regiment. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    26th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    World War 11

    Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 23 (May 27, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Private First Class John Newton Middlemas (ASN: 0-2262644/6830341), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in North Africa, during he period from January to May 1943. While searching for enemy snipers harassing our units, Private Middlemas discovered a strong enemy position. Displaying great courage and fearlessness, Private Middlemas and other members of his patrol charged the position and successfully destroyed this strongpoint, capturing more than forty of the enemy. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant [then Private First Class]

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    26th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    World War II

    Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 39 (August 14, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Silver Star to Sergeant [then Private First Class] John Newton Middlemas (ASN: 0-2262644/6830341), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in North Africa and Sicily, during the period from March through July 1943. When his platoon was forced to seek cover because of heavy enemy machine gun fire, Sergeant Middlemas crawled across open terrain and destroyed the enemy nest. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    7th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    April 25, 1951

    Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 989 (December 13, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) John Newton Middlemas (ASN: 0-2262644), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Middlemas distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Tosong-ni, Korea, on 25 April 1951. On that date, the defensive positions of Company A were attacked by a fiercely determined and numerically superior hostile force. The positions were successfully defended, but Lieutenant Middlemas realized that the overwhelming numbers of the enemy would soon make the position untenable. Cognizant of the fact that the hostile troops were preparing for another assault, he unhesitatingly rushed across one hundred and fifty yards of exposed terrain in an effort to secure reinforcements for his hard-pressed men. As he returned with the friendly troops, he was hit and knocked down by the enemy fire. Undaunted, he arose and led the reinforcements to the friendly positions where he stationed them. When the enemy attack came, heavy casualties were inflicted among the hostile troops. Upon receiving the order to withdraw, Lieutenant Middlemas assumed command of the company because the company commander was wounded. Supervising the evacuation of the casualties, he voluntarily led a small group in a rear-guard action in order to cover the withdrawal of the remainder of the company. When the withdrawal had been accomplished, Lieutenant Middlemas began to fall back to the friendly lines but observed a wounded soldier too weak to walk. Despite his own wounds, he helped the stricken man back to the friendly positions. The courage, indomitable fortitude, and inspiring leadership displayed by First Lieutenant Middlemas reflect the highest credit on himself and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    26th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    World War II

    Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 11 (March 28, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Private First Class John Newton Middlemas (ASN: 0-2262644/6830341), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in North Africa in 1943. Private Middlemas, while under heavy enemy machine gun and mortar fire went to the aid of a fellow soldier who had been wounded and succeeded in removing him to a place of safety. Private Middlemas’ daring on this occasion was an inspiration to the men of his organization. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    7th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    March 31, 1951

    Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 165 (May 25, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) John Newton Middlemas (ASN: 0-2262644/6830341), United States Army, for heroic achievement during ground operations against a hostile force as a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 31 March 1951, near Hwangmaedong, Korea, Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, assaulted Hill 526, which was defended by a firmly entrenched enemy. Although under extremely intense small arms and automatic weapons fire, Lieutenant Middlemas, with complete disregard for his own safety, continuously exposed himself by moving across open terrain in order to locate the enemy targets and better direct the fire of the recoilless rifles in his platoon. During the entire action, he kept his weapons platoon advancing with the assault rifle platoon, neutralizing many of the enemy emplacements. Through Lieutenant Middlemas’ efforts, six enemy machine gun nests were destroyed. The heroism and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Middlemas reflect great credit upon himself and exemplify the high traditions of the military service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    7th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    February 4, 1951

    Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 116 (April 29, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) John Newton Middlemas (ASN: 0-2262644/6830341), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 4 February 1951, near Chom-Chon, Korea, during an attack on enemy positions, Company A received a heavy concentration of artillery, severely wounding the company commander and causing many casualties. Lieutenant Middlemas, seeing the confusion caused by the shelling, unhesitatingly assumed command. Although constantly exposed to enemy fire, he moved confidently through the area, reorganizing the shattered unit, directing effective fire on the advancing enemy and assisting in the care and evacuation of the wounded. As a result of his quick action, initiative, and calm confidence under fire the company rallied to repulse the strong enemy attack. The gallantry and heroism under heavy fire and adverse conditions displayed by Lieutenant Middlemas reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.