Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    7th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    April 6, 1951

    Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 262 (July 8, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class John F. Furey (ASN: RA-11190688), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company I, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 6 April 1951, near Tongman-ni, Korea, a patrol, of which Sergeant Furey was Assistant Squad Leader, operating in the vicinity of Hill 171, found it necessary to move across an open area, making it a target for the enemy. The enemy did not open fire until the rear guard became exposed and Sergeant Furey, moving to a piece of high ground, searched out enemy positions and returned the fire, permitting his unit to look for a route of withdrawal. The severity of the hostile fire caused the patrol to scatter, separating it into two groups. Taking charge of the men in his vicinity, Sergeant Furey drew heavy fire toward himself as he crossed open ground to take up a position to direct the counter fire of his men. He remained in this perilous location, covering the withdrawal of the squad and on three different occasions returned to their area to ascertain that all personnel of the unit had gone to safety. Sergeant Furey’s gallant and selfless devotion to duty reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.