Edward Paul Ference

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Edward Paul Ference (RA33941719), Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Ference was serving as assistant patrol leader of a thirteen-man patrol operating in the vicinity of Ap Bau Bang, Republic of Vietnam, forward of the 2d Battalion, 2d Infantry, 1st Infantry Division’s defensive perimeter. In the early morning hours of 12 November 1965 the patrol was surrounded by approximately sixty well-armed Viet Cong. Rather than be ambushed, the patrol leader, using the element of surprise, immediately engaged the vastly superior force in a fierce firefight. During the ensuing battle, Sergeant Ference, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, exposed himself to the murderous insurgent automatic weapons and mortar fire to move among the members of his patrol and direct deadly fire upon the advancing Viet Cong, which resulted in the annihilation of at least twenty insurgents. When the patrol was ordered to withdraw, Sergeant Ference disregarding his own safety, again exposed himself to the murderous hail of hostile fire and covered the withdrawal to the 2d Battalion’s defensive perimeter. Sergeant Ference, without personal regard, again rushed through the intense insurgent fire to aid two fallen patrol members, only to find the men mortally wounded and on the verge of death. Upon reaching the defensive perimeter, Sergeant Ference noticed that another comrade was wounded and lying in the midst of the advancing hostile horde. Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Ference left the relative safety of his position, and went to the aid of his stricken comrade. During this heroic and valorous attempt, he was mortally wounded. Sergeant Ference’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, US Army, Pacific, General Orders No. 42 (February 28, 1966)