Posted by Stephen Curry on July 29, 2010:

William F. Meany Place of Birth: Waltham, Massachusetts Home of record: Waltham, Massachusetts 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 Second Lieutenant William F. Meany, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, while serving with the 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, Lieutenant Meany, with complete disregard of his personal safety and at extreme peril of being swept to sea and drowned, led a rescue party of enlisted men through the raging storm to the stranded and helpless civilians, and personally directed the removal to the mainland and safety of the man, one woman, and the child. In attempting to bring the remaining woman to safety a particularly strong wave struck Lieutenant Meany and the enlisted man who was assisting him and swept the three to sea, tearing the woman from their grasp. Lieutenant Meany and the enlisted man finally succeeded with the utmost difficulty in reaching the shore. The heroism displayed by Lieutenant Meany on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service. General Orders: Decorations U.S. Army 1862 - 1926, Supplement 3 (1940) Action Date: 21-Sep-38 Service: Army Rank: Second Lieutenant Regiment: 13th Infantry

admin