Lawrence Deery received his A.B. from Manhattan College in New York, in 1928. He then attended Saint Mary’s University in Maryland, graduating in 1932, and was ordained a Catholic priest. He served as curate at Saint Mary’s after ordination. In December 1940 he was appointed a chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserve, and was called to active duty in World War II, serving with the 1st Infantry Division. He accompanied the unit during their amphibious assault on North Africa in 1942, earning a Silver Star on the second day of the action. He continued in service with the Division through campaigns in Sicily and Italy, as well as the D-Day amphibious assault on Normandy, France, where he earned a second Silver Star on the day of the invasion, and a third Silver Star six weeks later during the fighting across France. He was promoted to major in April 1946, and to lieutenant colonel in 1948. He later served at Saint Joseph’s Rectory in Newport Rhode Island.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)Regiment:
16th Infantry RegimentDivision:
1st Infantry DivisionAction Date:
July 28, 1944
Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 156 (August 15, 1945)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Lawrence E. Deery (ASN: 0-401945), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with as a Chaplain with Headquarters, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Normandy, France, on 28 July 1944. 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.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)Regiment:
16th Infantry RegimentDivision:
1st Infantry DivisionAction Date:
June 6, 1944
Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 50 (July 27, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Lawrence E. Deery (ASN: 0-401945), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Normandy, France, on 6 June 1944. 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.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)Regiment:
16th Infantry RegimentDivision:
1st Infantry DivisionAction Date:
November 9, 1942
Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 33 (December 7, 1942)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Lawrence E. Deery (ASN: 0-401945), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action at Saint Cloud, Algeria, 9 November 1942. During the Oran offensive, despite heavy enemy machine gun and small arms fire, Chaplain Deery proceeded to the front lines and returned with two wounded soldiers, after crossing several fields covered by heavy enemy fire. Later, Chaplain Deery, on his own initiative and with unsurpassed bravery, proceeded through enemy lines and succeeded in carrying water to the men of the 3d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment. Chaplain Deery’s courage and heroism, displayed in the face of enemy fire, were an inspiring example to the officers and men of this battalion. 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.