Distinguished Service Cross


The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to a person who while serving in any capacity with the Army, distinguished himself or herself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor; while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing or foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing Armed Force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The act or acts of heroism must have been so notable and have involved risk of life so extraordinary as to set the individual apart from his or her comrades.

3 Awarded.

Pfc Frede Mortensen
  Co B 272nd Inf Rgt 69th Inf Div   

     For extraordinary heroism in action on 6 April 1945, near Benterode, Germany.  When his platoon was halted by heavy fire from dug-in machine gun positions, Private First Class Mortensen crawled forward under heavy fire and threw grenades into three machine gun positions, annihilating the occupants.  With his grenade supply exhausted, he leaped to his feet and charged a fourth position, and though his rifle failed to fire, his aggressiveness caused the enemy to to surrender without resistance.  Throughout the entire action, Private First Class Mortensen displayed extraordinary heroism and superior qualities of courage and leadership.

    Frede Mortensen was born July 27, 1926, on Staten Island, NY, the oldest son of Danish immigrants.  After over three years at New Dorp High School, Frede entered the Army on August 15, 1944, a few days after his 18th birthday.  He was enrolled in the “Army Specialized Training Program", (better known as "ASTP”) at Virginia Military Institute, but soon found himself completing Basic Infantry Training at Camp Wheeler in Macon, GA.  Next he was assigned to the 69th Infantry Division.  He was discharged from the service on June 2, 1946. 

    Frede continued to lead an eventful life after his military service.  He graduated from Wagner College on Staten Island with a BS.  On June 11, 1949, he married his high school sweetheart, Diana Wind.  Frede and Diana had four daughters and two sons, in that order, from medical school on. (l95l to l967) 

     In September 1949, Frede entered New York Medical College and graduated in 1953 with an M.D.  After a year's internship at Saginaw General Hospital in Michigan, he completed a two-year  residency in Internal Medicine through Washington University at St Louis City Hospital.  After a final year of study in Cardiology at the University of Alabama's School of Medicine, Frede and Diana returned to St. Louis, where he joined a group practice in Internal Medicine and Cardiology. 

    In 1991, with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Frede founded the medical wing of the Concordia Mission Society – an outreach program that continues to deliver medical supplies and staff to the former Soviet Union countries of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. 

    On March 4, 1993, Frede died at his home in St. Louis.  His legacy continues in the lives of his wife, children, many grandchildren, co-workers, patients, friends – and his acts of heroism in the 69th Inf. Div. in WWII.  

  July 27, 1926-March 4, 1993


Samuel L. Warren  
P. O. Box 286
Wickes, AR 71973 
Company F 273rd Infantry Regiment  


     Reported to Ft Benning, GA, July 6, 1944 for Officer Candidate School.  Upon completion assigned to 69th Infantry Division, Company F 273rd Infantry Regiment.  Promoted to 1st Lieutenant, January 21, 1945. Awarded Distinguished   Service Cross, Distinguished Unit Citation Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two stars, French Croix de Guerre and Etoile De Bronze.  

     Samuel L. Warren distinguished himself  by extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations in Germany on 18 April, 1945.  Altough making a perfect target for the enemy, Lieutenant Warren fearlessly manned the machine gun on the tank on which he was riding and killed a small number of the enemy.  When the Company Commander was seriously wounded, Lieutenant Warren assumed command and began forming defensive positions.  In spite of sniper fire directed at him. Lieutenant Warren moved among the men seeing that the wounded were cared for, revamped the the numerical set-up of the platoons and in view of a possible enemy panzerfaust ambush, cleared a building for use as a Command Post.

     The extra-ordinary heroism and courageoous action of Lieutenant Warren reflect great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest tradition of the military service. 

 


Archibald A. Farrar

Company F, 273rd Infantry Regiment 

      Second Lieutenant Archibald A. Farrar while serving in the Army of the United States, distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations in Germany on April 18 1945..  Although under heavy enemy fire. Lieutenant Farrar took over the machine gun on the tank on which he was riding when thhe gunner was wounded.

      From this position he fired at the enemy with the machine gun and a carbine, accounting for the destruction of several enemy emplacements.  When the tank stopped, Lieutenant Farrar set up defense positions and sent our combat patrols.  Lieutenant Farrar eliminated an enemy panzerfaust team by killing the entire crew wih pistol fire.  The extraordinary heroism and courageous actions of Lieutenant Farrar reflet great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service. 

      Archibald Alexander Farrar, was born in Summerville, Georgia, located in the Northwest tip of Georgia near the Georgia-Alabama-Tennesse border, September 6, 1921.

     He attended the Summerville public schools until his senior year when he went to live with his grandparents in Meridian, Mississippi, graduating high school there.  

      He entered Davidson College, Davidson, NC.  He was at Davidson for three years before entering the service in June, 1943, to train at Fort Knox, Kentucky.  Included among his subjects at Davidson was Reserve Officer Training Course (ROTC) which served him in good stead later. 

      In the spring of 1944, Archibal was sent to The Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia,  to enter an Officer Candidate School Class (OCS.)  He graduated a Second Lieutenant, July, 1944, and joined the 2nd Platoon Co F 273rd Inf Rgt, 69th Inf Div.  He was with the division all through combat.  Besides the DSC, he was awarded a Bronze Star w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Distinguished Unit Citation and the French Croix De Guerre. 

     Archibald returned home to enter The University of Georgia Law School, Athens, Georgia,  graduating in 1948, then went to his home town of Summerville to practice law. 

     He married Emily Nixon of Rome, Georgia, a union which resulted in three children:   

     Archibald Alexander, Jr., Robert Nixon and Janet Baker Farrar. 

  He died, December 25, 1992, of a sudden heart attack.                        

 

September 6, 1921 - December 25, 1992

 

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