Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private

Unit:

Company A, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

November 30th, 1944

"For gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 6 October 1944, near ****, Germany. At approximately 1010 hours the CP of Company A was subjected to an intense enemy heavy mortar barrage which caused many near misses. One shell ignited a gasoline can in a jeep parked near the company ammunition dump which in turn started a fire in the dump. This dump contained over 200 rounds of mortar ammunition, bazooka rockets, and anti-tank mines. Private Lilley was sheltered from the barrage in a fox hole near the dump when the fire started. Realizing the seriousness of the danger to others and the loss of his company's ammunition dump, Private Lilley unhesitatingly and voluntarily leaped from his foxhole in spite of the bursting enemy shells and rushed to the burning dump. He quickly extinguished a burning equipment bundle. He then removed a number of burning mines and bazooka rounds which were becoming very hot to a safe distance from the dump where he covered them with dirt. After accomplishing this, he returned and extinguished the rest of the fire. Throughout his singularly heroic action, Private Lilley displayed a brand of cool courage and utter disregard of his life in the face of danger of not only the enemy barrage, but the likelihood of some of the burning ammunition exploding. His unselfish action undoubtedly saved the loss of a considerable amount of valuable material and probably saved the lives of some of the CP personnel. 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."

Headquarters, 82d Airborne Division, General Orders No. 60

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private

Unit:

Company A, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

October 8th, 1945

Royal decree no.31