The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant William Frank Fale (ASN: 36204872), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Headquarters Company, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 25 December 1942, during the Papuan Campaign at Buna, New Guinea. Volunteering for a patrol to protect line-men who were attempting to restore communication to a company in the forward area, Sergeant Fale, with two other men, crept along the trail and located an enemy party. He went forward alone to investigate and threw a grenade into the enemy group. Automatic weapons fire was received from this enemy party and Sergeant Fale was seriously wounded. After being removed from the immediate vicinity by one of the men of the patrol, he offered to crawl out of the area of hostile fire rather than expose litter bearers to enemy fire. Sergeant Fale died of the wounds received in this action. His extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 32d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.