Perry Raley graduated for Oklahoma Baptist University at Shawnee, Oklahoma, and from the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary at Fort Worth, Texas, where he stood out as an athlete. After joining the U.S. Army he was commissioned as a chaplain, serving first with a hospital unit in England, and then in North Africa. He requested a transfer to the Field Artillery in order to be with a combat unit, and persisted even when his initial requests were denied. When he was at last transferred as chaplain to an Armored Field Artillery Battalion, he remained in the field throughout the North African and Sicilian campaigns, before accompanying his unit to France in 1944. He remained in service after the war and had a desire to be a parachutist and was finally accepted for jump school, and received his master’s parachutist’s badge in 1959. He then served as chaplain with the 82d Airborne Division. After 22 years of military service as a chaplain, he retired as a lieutenant colonel in November 1966.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Soldier’s Medal
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)Batallion:
** Armored Field Artillery BattalionDivision:
XX CorpsAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, XX Corps, General Orders No. 40 (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 Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Perry Truman Raley, United States Army, for gallantry In action against the enemy, while serving as a Chaplain with the *** Armored Field Artillery Battalion of the XX Corps, in action with the THIRD Army near Metz, France, in 1944. During German shelling of his position, Chaplain Raley voluntarily and courageously moved about under a heavy enemy and artillery barrage, administering first aid, cheer, and spiritual comfort to wounded men. Disregarding his personal safety, with thoughts only of the sufferings and wants of his wounded comrades, Chaplain Raley unselfishly remained with the men, constantly exposed to danger, until they were evacuated to safety. He continued his search for other injured men in the area and while picking his way through the falling shells, was wounded. The willingness to be of service and the courageous attitude and devotion to duty displayed by Chaplain Raley, 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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Soldier’s Medal
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Lieutenant Colonel (Chaplain’s Corps) Perry Truman Raley, United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States in Korea, in 1954. A crazed soldier was threatening the lives of the unit commanding officer, the first sergeant, and ten other soldiers of the unit with live grenades held in each hand. Disregarding his own safety, Chaplain Raley calmly walked up to the crazed man and talked him into throwing the grenades the other direction. The priming pins had already been pulled by the man’s teeth. The exemplary courage and heroism displayed by Chaplain Raley reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.