DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
Pfc. Orel H. Lev

In 1979, Bill Brown started researching the story of a who had served in F Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th PIR whom Bill met in 1943 when the soldier was home on what was his last leave. Bill was 15, and went to high school with the soldier's brother, who is still alive.

The soldier, PFC Orel H. Lev (DSC), jumped into Normandy June 6, 1944. He was WIA June 8, 1944, but later returned to Fox Company, and made the jump into Holland. PFC Lev was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for action near Veghel, Holland, on September 23, 1944, and was subsequently KIA, October 8, 1944, on the dikes near Heteren en Randwijk (about 9 miles southwest of Arnhem) with four other men.

The soldier's story turned into a 179-page book about Fox Company written for the families of the F Company Currahees. Over the years, Bill attended many 101st reunions; been in contact with almost 40 members of Fox Company; visited Holland and Normandy for two weeks in 2000; and stood on the dike where Lev was killed.

In addition to the story of Fox Company and narratives from surviving company members, the book contained F Company personnel lists, many Fox Company photos which had been passed around among the F Company veterans, and sketches by Burton Christenson (E Co, 2nd BN, 506th PIR).

This book is no longer in print.