Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private First Class

Unit:

Company I, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division "The Rock of the Marne", U.S. Army (Company I, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division "Rock Of The Marne", U.S. Army)

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Frederick S. Vance (33149178), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 29 February 1944, at Carano, Italy.

With one other soldier, Private First Class Vance manned an outpost 800 yards in advance of his company and held it in the face of repeated and determined enemy infantry attacks supported by mortar and artillery fire. He refused to fall back, even when told that his mission had been accomplished, and for 2 hours continued to hold off the enemy and inflict heavy casualties. When their ammunition was nearly exhausted, he crawled back under heavy enemy fire to the main line of resistance. Procuring all the ammunition he could carry, he again crawled forward and was fired upon by a German light machine gun. With his rifle he killed the German gunner and his assistant and regained the outpost. For two hours Private Vance and his comrade fought off all enemy efforts to overrun or outflank their position and prevented two German platoons from advancing. Finally an enemy shell made a direct hit on the outpost, killing both its defenders. The extraordinary heroism of Private Vance prevented the full brunt of the German assault from falling on his company and allowed time for our forces to bring artillery to bear, eventually breaking up the enemy attack. Private First Class Vance's intrepid actions, 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 3d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.


Posthumously awarded.

War Department, General Orders No. 38 (1945).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private First Class

Unit:

Company I, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division "The Rock of the Marne", U.S. Army