Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    232d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    42d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    January 19, 1945

    Headquarters, 42d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 18 (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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Duffy B. Stanley (ASN: 0-555583), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters, 1st Battalion, 232d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division. On 19 January 1945 at Sessenheim, France, Lieutenant Stanley was in command of the A & P Platoon which was left as part of a holding force in the town after relieving another company. Forced to withdraw by the attack of a superior enemy force, Lieutenant Stanley personally reconnoitered each house before allowing his men to enter. In one house he killed three Germans. Observing an enemy tank nearby, he obtained a rifle with an anti-tank grenade, crawled back, and hit the tank, causing it to withdraw. When the enemy surrounded the town, hopelessly outnumbering our troops, Lieutenant Stanley divided the platoon into two groups, and placing his assistant platoon leader in command of one group, he led the remainder back to the company through the enemy lines, with a loss of only three of his men.