Navy Federal Credit Union

John Maloney was born in Elmira, New York, and graduated from Southside High School. He attended Saint AndrewÕs and Saint BernardÕs Seminaries at Rochester, New York, and was ordained a Catholic priest in the old Saint PatrickÕs Cathedral in 1936. He celebrated his first mass the following day at Saint MaryÕs in Elmira. His first assignment was the Blessed Sacrament at Rochester, New York, where he ministered for six years. In 1942 he was commissioned a first lieutenant in the U.S. ArmyÕs Chaplain Corps. Following a month at the chaplain school at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, he spent six months with the Coast Artillery in Delaware. He volunteered to serve with parachute troops and spent the next three years attached to the 11th Airborne Division, serving with them through all campaigns in Europe. He returned to inactive duty as a major in 1945. After he was discharged he was assigned as assistant pastor at Saint PatrickÕs Church in Elmira, followed by service as Director at Saint BernardÕs Seminary, his alma mater. In 1948 he became assistant pastor at the Immaculate Conception Church in Ithaca, and then served as pastor from 1960 to 1975. He became pastor of Saint Catherine of Sienna Church until his retirement in 1982.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    506th Parachute Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    101st Airborne Division

    Action Date:

    June 6, 1944

    Headquarters, FIRST U.S. Army, General Orders No. 31 (July 1, 1944)

    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 Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) John Stephen Maloney (ASN: 0-428979), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Regimental Chaplain with Headquarters, 3d Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces at Normandy, France, on 6 June 1944. Captain Maloney parachuted into occupied France with his regiment on D-Day, 6 June 1944. Completely disregarding his own personal safety, he assisted medical-aid men in administering first aid to the wounded under intense enemy machine gun fire. He further assisted in their evacuation under continuous mortar fire. Captain Maloney’s fortitude, initiative and courage exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 101st Airborne Division, and the United States Army.