Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Batallion:

    5th Mobile Strike Force Command

    Regiment:

    5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

    Division:

    1st Special Forces

    Action Date:

    October 7 & 8, 1968

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 15 (March 30, 1972)

    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 First Class Derald R. Bunnell, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 7 and 8 October 1968 while serving as Senior Medical Corpsman, Detachment B-55, 5th Mobile Strike Force Command, 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces, in the Republic of Vietnam. While on a reconnaissance in force mission, on 7 October, 5th Mobile Strike Force made contact with a large, well entrenched enemy force. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Sergeant Bunnell led a small force through a hail of small arms and automatic weapons fire in order to establish flank security. As tactical air strikes and artillery fire pounded the enemy positions, Sergeant Bunnell moved throughout the battle area, treating wounded and encouraging his comrades. When tactical air strikes and artillery fire ceased, his unit again advanced against the enemy position. Heavy, accurate; enemy mortar, small arms, and automatic weapons fire forced his unit to withdraw to secure a position to evacuate the wounded. During the early morning hours of 8 October, Sergeant Bunnell’s unit was again subjected to intense enemy rocket and mortar fire, accompanied by a three-pronged ground attack. After two platoons of his unit were overrun, Sergeant Bunnell gathered stragglers, redistributed ammunition, and led his men as they fought to escape the enemy encirclement. Sergeant First Class Bunnell’s courage and leadership were in keeping with the most cherished traditions of the military service and reflected great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.