Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    533d Military Intelligence Battalion

    Division:

    3d Armored Division

    Action Date:

    October 20, 1986

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to First Lieutenant James A. Rodgers, Jr., United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy. On 20 October 1986, First Lieutenant Rodgers, Alpha Company, 533d Military Intelligence Battalion, 3d Armored Division, drove up to the scene of a traffic accident along Highway 63 near Holdstein, Federal Republic of Germany. Noticing one vehicle on fire, First Lieutenant Rodgers took the fire extinguisher from his vehicle and ran to the flaming vehicle where he noticed a man inside the driver’s compartment. Unable to extinguish the four to five foot high flames and fearing an immediate explosion, First Lieutenant Rodgers took immediately action to extract the man who appeared to be in a state of shock. As the flames spread to the passenger compartment, First Lieutenant Rodgers worked to unbuckle the seatbelt from the back door as the front door was jammed shut. Maneuvering the man to the driver’s side window, First Lieutenant Rodgers picked the man up and carried him to safety. He then treated the man for shock and attended to his wounds while ensuring there were no broken bones or internal injuries. Moments after leaving the vehicle it was fully engulfed in flames and totally destroyed by fire. The heroic actions of First Lieutenant Rodgers are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service, reflecting great credit on him, the 533d Military Intelligence Battalion and the United States Army.