Virgil S. Fernandes

Lieutenant Colonel Virgil Soares Fernandes was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School on 18 December 1959. His first duty assignment was as Platoon Leader, Company C, 2d Bde, 23rd Infantry, Fort Benning, Georgia. | His subsequent duty assignments include: Instructor Ptling Com Rngr Dept, Company D USAIS, Fort Benning, Georgia; Platoon Leader, Company A, 1st ABG (Abn/M) 505th Inf USAREUR; Platoon Leader, Company A, 2d Bn (Abn/M), 509th Inf, USAREUR; Laison Officer, HHC 1st Bde, 8th Inf Div, USAREUR; Asst Bde S-3, HHC, 1st Bde, 8th Inf Div, USAREUR; Company Commander, Company A, 2d Bn 509th Inf, USAREUR; Asst G-3 Op Adv I Corps, USA MIL Asst Cmd-RVN; Chairman, Patrolling Com Ranger Dept, Company D USAIS, Fort Benning, Georgia; S-1,S-2, HHC 1st Bde, 101 Abn Div; Asst Deputy DPCA, VOLAR Proj Off, Chief Plans & Op Div, Hq USATCI, Fort Dix, New Jersey; C, TngDiv DOPT, Hq 193rd Inf Bde, Fort Amador, Canal Zone;  Bn Cdr, HHC 3rd Bn, 5th Inf, CZ; Inspector General, Hq Sixth U.S. Army, PSF, California; Director, Unit Training Dir, USACATRADA, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. | His awards and decorations include: Bronze Star w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, Parachutist Badge, Meritorious Service Medal w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster, AM, Senior Parachutist Badge, Army Commendation Medal w/4 Oak Leaf Cluster, Master Parachutist Badge, Vietnamese Ranger Badge, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/ Silver Star, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/Palm (Unit), Good Conduct Medal, Vietnamese Staff Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Bars (4), Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.