Joseph E. Farrell

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Joseph E. Farrell (ER33586170), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company M, 3d Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Private First Class Farrell distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Chup’a-ri, Korea, on 3 September 1951. On that date, Company H was subjected to a surprise attack by a numerically superior and fanatically determined hostile force. Without regard for his personal safety, Private Farrell took an exposed position on the fire-swept terrain in order to contact the friendly forces in the area by radio and advise them of the situation. He remained at his post, completely ignoring the volume of enemy fire being concentrated on his position, until he was wounded and the radio destroyed. Because of the vast number of the enemy, the order for the friendly troops to take up more tenable positions was given. Private Farrell voluntarily remained behind as a rear guard to cover the withdrawal of his comrades and succeeded in inflicting numerous casualties among the enemy troops until he was killed by a burst of hostile fire. His fearless actions enabled his comrades to withdraw successfully and undoubtedly saved many of their lives.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 905 (November 16, 1951)