Fred R. Metheny

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Fred R. Metheny (0-532283), Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 101st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy during the period from 20 December 1944 through 2 January 1945, in the vicinity of Bastogne, Belgium. During the aforementioned period, Second Lieutenant Metheny volunteered and lead patrols on several occasions, deep into enemy territory, near Bastogne, under hazardous conditions. His patrol of 21 December 1944 established itself on high ground within the enemy lines where it had perfect observation of the enemy in the front and flanks. The information Lieutenant Metheny radioed back permitted the successful bombing by B-17s of enemy armor units in Foy and Cobru. His daylight patrol of 23 December 1944 discovered an enemy road block. Lieutenant Metheny returned with this information, organized a combat patrol, and returned to the road block which he destroyed, along with twenty Germans defending it. The daylight patrol of 2 January 1945 was trapped by approximately one hundred Germans, but Lieutenant Metheny led his men in a breakout during which they killed fifteen Germans and captured one. The conspicuous courage and inspiring leadership of Second Lieutenant Metheny exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 101st Airborne Division, and the United States Army.