Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Samuel Naples (ASN: RA-33411206), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 89th Medium Tank Battalion, 25th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. At about 0200 hours, 7 September 1950, near Daisa-ri, Korea, Sergeant First Class Naples’ tank was attacked by a squad of enemy infantry. Having dismounted his .30 caliber machine gun and set it up at the right of the tank, he traversed the 90-mm. tank gun to the left. However the enemy pressed within 15 yards of the tank so that fire from the tank could not hit them. Standing up in the turret, Sergeant First Class Naples threw hand grenades and fired his rifle and submachine gun until he had killed seven of the enemy and driven the rest to a nearby hut. He eliminated the hut and its occupants by fire from his tank gun. The exceptional gallantry, determination and soldierly ability of Sergeant First Class Naples reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Batallion:

    89th Medium Tank Battalion

    Division:

    25th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    September 9, 1950

    Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 136 (October 26, 1950)

    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 Sergeant First Class Samuel Naples (ASN: RA-33411206), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Tank Commander with Company B, 89th Medium Tank Battalion, 25th Infantry Division. Sergeant First Class Naples distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Haman, Korea, on 9 September 1950. Sergeant First Class Naples’ company was assigned a mission to take an infantry squad to eliminate some enemy suspected of being in a nearby village. Upon approaching the village he dismounted the infantry from the tank and sent them forward into the village. After waiting a short period he followed the infantry squad and found them pinned down by enemy fire. Returning to his tank, he obtained a carbine and some grenades. He then moved to the rear of a building from which the enemy was firing and threw a grenade in the window, killing one enemy. He then shot another with his carbine. He then proceeded to another house, from which the enemy was firing. He opened the door and received machine-gun fire from the inside and was wounded in the leg. With his carbine he shot and killed the enemy gunner. This sharp, heroic action of Sergeant Naples permitted the infantry squad to proceed through the village with Sergeant Naples, despite his serious leg wound, leading the way. In the ensuing action two more enemy were killed and six prisoners were captured. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Sergeant Naples on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.