Wendell W. Fertig

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Wendell W. Fertig, Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while Commanding the Mindanao-Visayan Force, in action against enemy forces from 8 May 1943 to 6 August 1943, in the Philippine Islands. Lieutenant Colonel Fertig, a mining engineer in the U.S. Army Reserves, organized and commanded United States resistance (guerilla) forces on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines from the surrender in 1942 until the liberation in 1945. At peak, his forces numbered 34,000 American and Filipino guerillas, controlling most of the island and providing invaluable intelligence to General MacArthur’s forces in the southwest pacific campaign. Colonel Fertig’s outstanding leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the Mindanao-Visayan Force, and the United States Army.