Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    145th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    37th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    World War II

    Headquarters, 37th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 277 (August 26, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Leslie James Meneely (ASN: 38398730), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 37th Infantry Division, in action while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy at Luzon, Philippine Islands, in 1945. When three of his comrades were seriously wounded by enemy machine gun fire and lay in a completely exposed area in the middle of a road, Private Meneely crawled forward in a shallow ditch alongside the road until abreast of the first wounded soldier. From this position, he crawled under intense hostile fire into the completely exposed roadbed and dragged the man to safety. Several minutes later he repeated his gallant action in order to drag a second man to safety. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.