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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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) Perry Jed Cheeney, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 351st Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in the vicinity of Bassano del Grappa, Italy, on 29 April 1945. On the evening of 29 April 1944, Company I crossed the Brenta River and established a bridgehead in that part of the town that lies east of the river. The second platoon, commanded by Lieutenant Cheeney, moved to the right flank in the suburb of the town. As he led his men toward a group of buildings, machine gun fire from the buildings wounded three of his men and forced the others to seek protection from the grazing fire. Accurate concentrations of artillery fire began to fall near his men, further adding to the confusion and casualties. Determined to remove this menace to his men, Lieutenant Cheeney crawled forward along a small ditch until he was within hand grenade range of the nearest house. He hurled one well-aimed grenade through a window and killed three Germans who were manning a machine gun. Immediately following up his advantage, Lieutenant Cheney charged through the doorway, grappled with a German on the lower floor and finally succeeded in killing him with repeated blows of his carbine stock. At this time two more Germans ran down the stairs from the upper floors and leaped at him. Lieutenant Cheeney killed the first one with a single shot and overpowered the second German as he stumbled over the body of the first. Not content with this magnificent accomplishment, Lieutenant forced his prisoner to march back to his platoon, while he called a squad of his men into the house. Lieutenant Cheeney directed two of his men to cover him while he rushed the second house throwing two grenades into the lower floor windows. Faced by this assault, five Germans who were in the upper story surrendered to Lieutenant Cheeney, along with the radio with which they had been adjusting artillery fire on our troops. By his intrepid display of courage and outstanding valor, Lieutenant Cheeney fulfilled the finest traditions of the Army and brought new laurels to both himself and his regiment.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Technical Sergeant

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    351st Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    88th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    November 1944
    Headquarters, 88th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 102 (1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant Perry Jed Cheeney, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company I, 3d Battalion, 351st Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Northern Italy in November 1944. Sergeant Cheeney personally accounted for three Germans in a charge on his company’s objective near Castel del Rios. In spite of strong enemy counterattacks, Sergeant Cheeney’s men rushed on to their objective and held their position until the remainder of the battalion could move up. In attacking a hill heavy casualties necessitated immediate reorganization of the platoon. Sergeant Cheeney reorganized the unit and, with a flanking movement, bypassed a machine gun which had caused much damage, and then led an assault on the position. In this bold maneuver the platoon killed or captured 18 Germans, seized three machine guns, one mortar, and a large quantity of ammunition. Sergeant Cheney’s courage and leadership are exemplary and his is a continual inspiration to his men. 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 and the United States Army.