Donald L. Feerrar

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Donald L. Feerrar (2252390), Lance Corporal [then Private First Class], U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as a rocket ammunition man with Company G, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in the Republic of Vietnam on 20 March 1967. A squad of the first platoon was positioned in a night ambush against the communist insurgent forces in Quang Nam Province in the early morning hours. Lance Corporal Feerrar was with two other Marines in a camouflaged position. During the night, an enemy grenade was hurled into his position, hitting one of his comrades on the arm. Instantly, Lance Corporal Feerrar gave the alarm and knocked the other Marine to the ground. He then grasped the deadly bomb, threw it out of the position and at the same instant threw himself on the Marine he had knocked out of the way, covering the Marine’s body with his own. The enemy grenade exploded harmlessly several meters away. Through his extraordinary initiative and inspiring valor in the face of almost certain death, Lance Corporal Feerrar saved his comrades from injury and possible loss of life, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.