The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Fearn Field (ASN: 0-26209), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 7th Field Artillery Observation Battalion, Corps Artillery, TWENTIETH Corps, in Germany. On 6 March 1945, in the face of heavy enemy fire, Lieutenant Field assisted his platoon commander in establishing a sound ranging base to locate enemy guns which were delaying the advance of attacking forces. As the operation progressed, the base was thrown out of action before dawn by a sudden enemy counterattack which surrounded a vital sound ranging outpost. Lieutenant Field volunteered to join a small lightly armed rescue force and set out in the fog and darkness to search for the trapped men. When the force was ambushed by a strongly entrenched enemy employing heavy machine gun fire, Lieutenant Field gallantly advanced single handedly against the enemy, fighting courageously until sustaining fatal wounds in the ensuing action. His great fortitude, intrepid determination and unflinching devotion to his men and his duty, reflect highest credit upon himself and the military service.