Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Rene
Luedee
1931-10-07

–

1983-05-08

Born:

New Haven

, 

Connecticut

Home:

New Haven

, 

Connecticut

Buried: 

West Hartland

, 

Connecticut

Cemetery:

Holy Family Monastery

Rene Luedee entered the Congregation of the Passionate in 1955. He received his B.A. from the Passionist Monastic Seminary in Long Island, New York; and his M.S. from Saint Michael’s Seminary at Union City, New Jersey in 1964. Following his war service he received his M.D. from Long Island University. He was ordained a Catholic priest of the Passionist Order in 1962 and preached Missions and Retreats until 1964, when he entered military service. He was commissioned a U.S. Army chaplain in 1964, and deployed to Vietnam in 1966. He remained in service after his combat tour, serving as an Army chaplain for 19 years. He was serving as a lieutenant colonel in Germany after 19 years of military service, when he was diagnosed with cancer, and accepted a medical discharge in July 1982. He passed away the following year.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    26th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    April 1, 1967
    Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 3392 (May 18, 1967)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps) Rene Luedee, United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force, on 1 April 1967, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Chaplain Luedee was serving as Battalion Chaplain of the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, during Operation JUNCTION CITY, when his unit became engaged in one of the most decisive battles of the Vietnam conflict. After firing over 300 mortar rounds into the friendly defenses, the Viet Cong’s 271st Regiment launched a massive ground attack at Company C’s sector of the defensive perimeter. The insurgents managed to penetrate the line and overrun many of the friendly forces’ positions. Chaplain Luedee moved to where the members of Company C were fighting relentlessly against the enemy which swarmed through the break in the perimeter. As the other companies of the battalion launched a counterattack against the hostile force, Chaplain Luedee, without regard for his personal safety, exposed himself to the hostile fire as he ran to the wounded men to give them spiritual comfort. He also assisted the aidman in treating and carrying the wounded to the evacuation area. As a result of Chaplain Luedee’s display of undaunted courage and outstanding devotion to duty the lives of many American soldiers were saved. Chaplain Luedee’s unquestionable valor during close combat against a numerically superior hostile force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.