NORTH EAST, MD, October 28, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Benjamin G.M. "Ben" Feril has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Hailing from decades of diverse and extensive experience, Mr. Feril has a distinguished record of service and leadership across the military, religious and civic spheres. In 2025, he assumed the role of Council Vice President for Religious Relations with Scouting America, Del-Mar-Va Council, which provides young individuals with guidance and the ability to make ethical and moral decisions as they grow up. Having worked with the nonprofit organization in various capacities for 45 years, he addresses a range of concerns and programs related to faith and Scouting. In addition to these responsibilities, he held the position of National Program Chair for Scouting America's Sea Scout program from 2022 to 2024, and continues to contribute as a member of the National Sea Scout Committee.

Mr. Feril grounds his daily routine in his commitment to faith; he begins each morning with daily Mass at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Elkton, Maryland, where he has served as a permanent deacon since his ordination in 2021. His ministry duties include proclaiming the Gospel at Mass, delivering homilies, administering the Sacraments of Baptism and Marriage, and providing pastoral care and running an adult religious education program alongside his wife. Since 2015, he has also contributed to hospital ministry at Christiana Care Health System in Newark, Delaware and Christina Care Union Hospital in Elkton, Maryland, offering spiritual and emotional support to patients and staff.

Prior to beginning his ecclesiastical and nonprofit roles, Mr. Feril retired as a Captain in the United States Navy in 2014 after nearly 35 years of service. From 2012 to 2014, he directed the Joint Medical Planners Course within the Joint Chiefs of Staff/J4 Health Services Support Division, shaping future leaders in military medical planning. Before this, he served as the branch head for medical plans and policy under the Chief of Naval Operations for two years, overseeing critical health policy initiatives and support capabilities for Navy and Marine Corps personnel.

From 2008 to 2010, Mr. Feril was president of the American Academy of Contingency Planners — a health care entity that serves in contingency, emergency, and disaster response — advancing interagency cooperation and emergency preparedness. As the head of current operations at the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery from 2006 to 2007, he managed operational medical support for combat operations, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief missions.

A defining period in Mr. Feril's career was his tenure as Officer-in-Charge and Executive Officer aboard the USNS Comfort from 2004 to 2006. He was responsible for ensuring the ship's readiness for deployment and led its response during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. Under his leadership, the Comfort was fully staffed and partially supplied in record time before deploying from Baltimore to New Orleans within 72 hours. The ship initially stopped in Pascagoula, Mississippi, before proceeding to provide critical medical care and essential services — including shelter and meals — to approximately 1,900 individuals in New Orleans' Ninth Ward.

From 2002 to 2004, Mr. Feril commanded the Second Medical Battalion at Camp Lejeune with the Second Marine Expeditionary Force during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He led more than 350 personnel — including dentists, nurses, doctors, hospital corpsmen and Marines — who provided vital medical support during combat operations in Kuwait and Iraq. Notably, no lives were lost under his command; instead, they returned with one additional hospital corpsman who joined them during deployment. In the opening hours of the war, the battalion faced significant challenges in relocating their field hospital under threat of missile attacks but maintained continuous medical operations throughout — a testament to the professionalism and dedication of all hands under Mr. Feril's command.

Mr. Feril's earlier assignments included serving as an Executive Officer for the Second Medical Battalion from 2000 to 2002 and various other roles that contributed to his expertise as a Navy hospital administrator, operational forces leader and medical planner. His exemplary service saw him recognized with the Legion of Merit from the United States Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, the Bronze Star Medal from Commander, Marine Forces Central Command, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Navy Meritorious Service Medal with three gold stars, Joint Service Commendation Medal with one bronze palm, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, along with other personnel decorations and service medals and ribbons.

Much of Mr. Feril's success in multiple vocations stems from his equally robust academic background. He earned a Master of Arts in Church Ministries in 2017 and a Master of Arts in Theology from St. Mary's Seminary & University in Baltimore in 2018, and in 2015, he successfully completed a one-year Clinical Pastoral Education Residency with Christiana Care Health System — credentials that supported his transition into parish ministry and chaplaincy work. Earlier in his journey, he obtained a Master of Arts in Defense and Strategic Studies from Naval War College in 1999 and a Master of Arts in Health Care Management from Marymount University the same year. Following his graduation from the Naval War College, Mr. Feril was assigned to a one-year Fellowship in the Pentagon in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict. In 2004, Mr. Feril completed the Marine Corps University, Marine Corps Command and Staff College Distance Education Program.

Dedicated to the ideals of continuous learning, Mr. Feril completed a Master of Arts in Human Resources Management from Central Michigan University in 1988 and a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management from Florida A&M University in 1986. Six years prior, he graduated from Navy Officer Candidate School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with concentrations in history and political science from Central Michigan University.

Throughout his career, Mr. Feril has exemplified servant leadership by empowering those under his command or guidance. Central to his success was his consistent recognition that achievements were collective efforts shared with colleagues who embraced their mission.
Deeply devoted to civic engagement and community service, Mr. Feril has served as an adult Scout leader with Scouting America since 1976. A life member of the National Eagle Scout Association, he has also volunteered with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary since 1994, and in October 2025, he was elected to serve as District Captain for Auxiliary members in Sector Maryland/National Capital Region. In addition, since 2015, he chairs the Catholic Committee on Scouting for the Archdiocese of Military Services USA, and recently, he was appointed as chaplain for the Diocese of Wilmington, Delaware Catholic Committee on Scouting.

Mr. Feril's outstanding dedication to service and leadership has seen him recognized with numerous accolades over the years. Among his honors are Scouting America's Silver Antelope and Silver Beaver Awards, the National Sea Scout Leadership Award, the District Award of Merit, the Silver St. George Emblem, and the Bronze Pelican Award. He also received the William T. Hornaday Silver Medal, the Pope Pius XII Emblem, the Ad Altare Dei Emblem and two President's Lifetime Achievement Awards. For his steadfast dedication to recreational boating safety and helping others, he was presented by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary with the Recreational Boating Safety Award, the Sustained Service Award, two Public Education Performance Awards and the Marine Safety Performance Award.

Happily married and a devoted family man, Mr. Feril enjoys reading history novels, traveling with his wife, exercising, visiting museums, and exploring historical sites both domestically and abroad. Through everything he does, he continues to serve as an exemplary figure whose journey reflects unwavering dedication to service, leadership, faith, community engagement, and mentorship.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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