Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Division:

    13th Infantry

    Action Date:

    September 21, 1938

    Decorations U.S. Army 1862 – 1926, Supplement 3 (1940)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Corporal Thomas G. Meehan (ASN: 6131296), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, in serving with the Service Company, 13th Infantry, displayed on 21 September 1938, in rescuing a man, woman, and child from drowning in the Atlantic Ocean at Price’s Neck, near Fort Adams, Rhode Island. During the height of a violent hurricane, a man, two women and a child were marooned in the upper story of a partially submerged and rapidly disintegrating house on an exposed promontory near the end of a narrow neck of land jutting into the sea. Despite the fury of the wind which at times exceeded 60 miles per hour, making it impossible to stand erect, Corporal Meehan, voluntarily accompanying a rescue party, with complete disregard of his personal safety and at extreme peril of being swept to sea and drowned, fought his way through the raging storm to the stranded and helpless civilians, and assisted in the removal to the mainland and safety of the man, one woman, and the child, thereby saving their lives. The heroism displayed by corporal Meehan on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.