Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Field Artillery)

    Batallion:

    58th Armored Field Artillery Battalion

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    February 23, 1951

    Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 360 (August 15, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Dexter Woodrow Browne (ASN: 0-1185472), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Battery B, 58th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 23 February 1951, near Inkto, Korea, a reinforced patrol of Company F, 2d Battalion, 65th Infantry, reconnoitering to determine the location and strength of enemy positions in the area, encountered a well-entrenched force on a commanding hill and became involved in a fierce firefight. The advantageous disposition of the enemy’s weapons enabled him to direct a heavy volume of fire which pinned down the infantry patrol. Lieutenant Browne, the forward artillery observer ignoring the vigorous hostile opposition and his exposure to enemy fire, moved from a partially defilade position to a vantage point in order to direct supporting artillery barrages on the hostile strong-points. When an enemy volley shot away the radio antenna, Lieutenant Browne ingeniously constructed a field expedient consisting of combat wire running from the antenna terminal of the radio to his steel helmet and continued to adjust the artillery fire under which the patrol withdrew to more tenable positions. During the withdrawal, Lieutenant Browne, noticing a wounded soldier lying unattended, moved into the area, still within range of the enemy’s weapons, and evacuated the stricken man to a position of comparative safety. Lieutenant Browne’s gallant courage and genuine devotion to duty reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.