Ben Farnan

While deployed with the United States Army in Yon Chon, North Korea, in September 1952, lifelong Glen Cove resident Ben Farnan’s reconnaissance unit was ambushed by Chinese soldiers. Separated from their leader, the groups’ lives were instantly put in the hands of the then 20-year-old soldier. 

While serving, Mr. Farnan, who would later become the commissioner of Glen Cove’s Public Safety, took charge of the patrol under enemy fire and moved his soldiers from a water ravine to higher ground. “The Chinese threw a grenade at us,” he said. “None of us were hurt, but we were blown back. We moved up to cover, and from there, we sustained ourselves, and our lives.” 

Mr. Farnan was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor for his selfless act. He also received the Silver Star for recovering a wounded soldier from the middle of a minefield in the Chorwon Valley. With a daring strategy, he made his footsteps wide enough so that a medic could follow with a stretcher. 

Years ago, the Army Military Records Department experienced a fire, and all the Korean morning reports from September through October 1952 were destroyed. Ben Farnan has been searching for many years for these reports and for the men who were with him at that time. His dedication to his men and his nation display an unprecedented level of bravery and selflessness.