J. WHITING FRIEL, entered military service with Company K, 145th Infantry, 37th Division, Ohio National Guard during World War I. As a corporal of Company K, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary heroism when, in view of the enemy and under heavy artillery and machine gun fire, he swam the Escaut River and assisted in the construction of a foot bridge which materially aided in the successful operations of American troops in the area. The governments of Belgium and France decorated him with their Croix de Guerre for his battlefield gallantry.

Mr. Friel was Legion of Valor National Commander 1963-64.

J. Whiting Friel Fund – This fund was established in 1963 from gifts of Standard Pressed Steel Company stock (now known as SPS technologies). It is named for the donor, the late J. Whiting Friel, OSC, National Commander of the Legion of Valor for the 1963-64 term. The income from these gifts is used to pay the costs of conducting the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for Achievement program, a national endeavor to recognize outstanding cadets of the Reserve Officers Training Corps of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.