Stephen Meany attended Brooklyn Prep before entering and graduating from Fordham University. He entered the Jesuit Order on August 15, 1925, and was ordained a Catholic Priest of the Jesuit Order on June 21, 1936, at Woodstock, Maryland. He was commissioned a U.S. Army chaplain in December 1942, and was subsequently assigned to the 27th Infantry Division, earning a Silver Star at Makin Atoll in November 1943. He was wounded multiple times by enemy machine gun fire, with wounds to his elbow, chest, and shoulder, and was evacuated home for recovery at O’Reilly Hospital. His religious medal deflected one bullet and probably saved his life. His heroic service was recounted in a book, “Father Meany and the Fighting 69th” (By Burris Jenkins, Frederick Fell, New York, 1944). After recovery he was reverted to inactive status in 1946, at the rank of Major. In 1958 he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)Regiment:
69th Infantry RegimentDivision:
27th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
November 20, 1943
Headquarters, 27th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 29 (1943)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Stephen J. Meany (ASN: 0-405935), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a Chaplain with the 69th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division, in action at Makin Atoll, Gilbert Islands, on 20 November 1943. When soldier fell wounded in clearing raked by hostile machine gun and rifle fire, and lay helpless on open ground only twenty yards from the enemy position, Chaplain Meany, without hesitancy and with complete disregard for his own safety, went to his aid. In the act of administering first aid to the wounded man he was severely wounded four times by enemy machine gun fire. The heroic example of this officer was an inspiration to all ranks. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Chaplain Meany, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.