Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    128th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    32d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    March 29, 1945

    Headquarters, U.S. Forces-Pacific, General Orders No. 68 (July 23, 1945)

    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 C. Furr (ASN: 33637070), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on the Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 29 March 1945. Sergeant Furr was leading a squad which suddenly encountered heavy interlocking bands of machine gun and rifle fire from three entrenched positions. Taking a supply of hand grenades, Sergeant Furr advanced boldly under heavy fire to within a few yards of the first position. He hurled grenades into it and succeeded in putting it out of action. His own grenades expended, he ordered the members of his squad to pass theirs to him. Attacking the second and third positions in like manner, he destroyed them both. Still leading his men onward, he observed a fourth position which was delivering fire at his squad. Moving out in front of his men, he reconnoitered the position, killed one occupant and then covered a demolition crew with hand grenades while they sealed the hole. He next attacked and killed a Japanese soldier in a fifth emplacement, but as he moved up to destroy the position with hand grenades, he was killed by enemy fire. Through his extraordinary heroism, Sergeant Furr succeeded in single-handedly destroying five enemy positions, three machine guns, and numerous rifles and an undetermined number of the enemy. Sergeant Furr’s 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.