Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Batallion:

    137th Tank Battalion

    Division:

    37th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    February 28, 1952

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 26 (April 2, 1954)

    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 Sergeant First Class Lonzo Morgan, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Company C, 137th Tank Battalion (90-mm Gun), 37th Infantry Division, at Camp Polk, Louisiana, on 28 February 1952. He was serving as an instructor on a live hand-grenade range when an extremely nervous trainee entered the pit with him. At the command to throw, the trainee released the arming lever but held the grenade in his hand as he started to crouch below the parapet of the pit. With complete disregard for his personal safety and with utmost presence of mind, Sergeant Morgan pulled the man to an erect position and pushed him forward to the parapet, attempting to make the man throw the grenade. He grasped the man’s arm and threw it in a forward motion, attempting to dislodge the grenade, but to no avail. He grasped the soldier’s arm again and hit it on the forward edge of the parapet to dislodge the grenade from his hand and then pulled him to the ground. Sergeant Morgan’s prompt and courageous action was responsible for preventing serious injury to his comrade and reflects great credit on himself and the military service.