Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Colonel

Unit:

274th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division "Trailblazers", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

February 19th, 1945

For extraordinary heroism in action on 19 February 1945, near Saarbrucken, Germany. During a bitter battle for the Siegfried Line defenses, atop the strategically important Kreutzberg Ridge, Colonel Conley maneuvered under intense artillery barrages to within thirty yards of enemy entrenchments. Miraculously eluding hostile machine-gun and mortar fire for a sustained period, he dashed across the front lines, recruiting a tank and twenty-two infantrymen for an assault on the enemy. He then led a charge over barbed-wire entanglements into the German-held trenches, capturing the position and twenty-six prisoners. Colonel Conley's courageous action and superb leadership were in keeping with the highest ideals of the infantry and reflect great credit upon himself and the armed forces. Entered United States Military Academy from Van Vert, Ohio.

Reg. nr. 015707. Headquarters, Seventh U.S. Army, General Orders No. 496 (September 10, 1945).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Colonel

Unit:

274th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division "Trailblazers", U.S. Army