Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    306th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    77th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    November 30, 1944

    Headquarters, U.S. Forces-Pacific, General Orders No. 127 (1946)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Lemuel Goode, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Executive Officer of the 1st Battalion, 306th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 30 November 1944, in the Philippine Islands. When sudden enemy fire from four machine guns and numerous riflemen killed the Commanding Officer and a Platoon Leader, wounded many others, and momentarily halted the assault of Company I, 306th Infantry regiment, against a well-organized hostile position near Buri, Leyte, Philippine Islands, Lieutenant Goode, Executive Officer, immediately raced forward to the head of the company. While enemy bullets swept the area, he recognized his men and exhorted them to greater effort, and then, with an automatic riflemen, led an attack on the nearest hostile machine gun position. With complete disregard for his own safety in the face of heavy enemy fire and exploding grenades, he destroyed the gun and its crew with accurately thrown grenades and then went to the aid of his wounded men as they lay exposed to the enemy. He was felled by a burst of machine gun fire which tore his shoulder to shreds, but as he lay in full view of the enemy, suffering excruciating pain, he shouted orders at his men who pressed forward, overran the enemy positions, and annihilated the foe. Through his aggressive, inspiring leadership and unremitting determination to destroy the enemy at all costs, Lieutenant Goode exemplified the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflected great credit upon himself, the 77th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.