Navy Federal Credit Union

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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Albert R. Krider, Jr. (ASN: 0-1323939), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action in the vicinity of ****, France, on 20 November 1944. Lieutenant Krider, a forward observer, accompanied by a radio operator, was moving forward across an open field under enemy observation when enemy artillery fell about him and the radio operator who received a severe leg wound. As the enemy fire increased in intensity, Lieutenant Krider realized the impossibility of evacuating the enlisted man, who was obviously a litter patient. Instead, Lieutenant Krider remained with the man and, after he had applied a tourniquet to halt the flow of blood from the wounded man’s leg, started to dig a slit trench for him. AS the enemy fire fell closer to them, Lieutenant Krider was struck by shell fragments but, despite his wounds, remained for three hours with the enlisted man and later struggled three hundred yards to carry him to an aid station. The selfless action of Lieutenant Krider in placing the life of one of his men above that of his own is such gallantry in action as to be in accord with the military traditions of the United States.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Second Lieutenant]

    Division:

    35th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    July 16, 1944

    Headquarters, 35th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 37 (September 27, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Second Lieutenant] Albert R. Krider, Jr. (ASN: 0-1323939), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 35th Infantry Division, in action in the **** Sector, Normandy, France, 16 July 1944. In the operation against ****, Lieutenant Krider went forward to observe and direct fire for a mortar section. While exposed to enemy fire, he directed the fire of the mortar section, as a result of which an enemy machine gun emplacement was destroyed. He then took an exposed position upon a road, continuing his fire direction, during which period he fired upon and killed eight of the enemy with his carbine, pinning down the remainder of the enemy group until it was destroyed by mortar fire. The gallantry in action of Lieutenant Krider, he technical skill, his disregard for personal safety and his devotion to duty, reflect credit upon his character as an officer and upon the military service.