Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Staff Sergeant

Unit:

Company K, 274th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division (Company K, 274th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division)

Awarded on:

July 31st, 1945

Citation:
"For heroic achievement in action from 19 February 1945 to 4 March 1945. On 19 February, when his squad leader was wounded in the attack on Behren, France, Staff Sergeant Fescina assumed command of his 60mm Mortar squad and effectively supported the infantry inflicting many casualties on the enemy. On March 3, he took charge of the entire platoon, after the platoon leader and Sergeant had become casualties in the attack on Styring Wendel, France. His courageous leadership thereafter, in reoganizing the remnent of his platoon, under heavy artillery and mortar fire, enabled his unit to continue on its mission."

At the moment of the action he still held the rank of Private First Class.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Staff Sergeant

Unit:

Company K, 274th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division (Company K, 274th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division)

Awarded on:

August 29th, 1945

Place and date of action: Styring Wendel, France, March 3rd, 1945.
Citation:
"When his platoon leader had been killed and his platoon sergeant and other section sergeants had assumed command of the platoon. Going forward with the light machine gun section, he led them through an enemy mine field to give support to an attacking company. Returning to his platoon he led his mortar section to new positions through the same mine field. During the period from 3 to 10 March 1945, he commanded his platoon and molded twenty five new men into a combat team. His outstanding leadership and aggressiveness aided in the successof each assigne mission.

This award was obtained in the form of an Oak Leave to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.