Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    21st Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    24th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    October 16 & 17, 1951

    Headquarters, 24th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 19 (January 10, 1952)

    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) Bernard Brown (ASN: 0-1018994), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, for courageous action near Wolbong-ni, Korea, on 16 and 17 October 1951. During an attack on enemy positions, the Company Commander was seriously wounded. Lieutenant Brown, Platoon Leader, immediately took command of the unit which had become pinned down by intense enemy small arms and artillery fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, he exposed himself to the devastating hail of enemy fire to reorganize his men and lead them out of the trap. Obtaining support from armored elements, he moved his troops forward behind tanks to secure a high ridgeline deeply entrenched with bunkers and occupied by a determined enemy force with a large supply of small arms ammunition. After friendly units had taken flanking ridges, Lieutenant Brown led his men in an attack on the objective. Under his inspiring and skillful leadership, his men made a powerful charge and overran the enemy positions despite heavy defensive fire. During the night, the enemy hordes counterattacked desperately but were successfully repulsed by the friendly troops. The following morning, the company continued its advance to complete the capture of the entire objective. In this assault, Lieutenant Brown fearlessly exposed himself to murderous enemy fire as he directed the deployment of his men and the supporting fire of tank units. As a result of his aggressive fighting skill, the friendly troops killed 42 enemy soldiers, wounded many more and routed the rest in such wild confusion that they abandoned artillery pieces and ammunition. Lieutenant Brown’s courageous actions and selfless performance of duty contributed immeasurably to the success of his unit’s mission and reflect the highest credit on himself and the United States Infantry.