Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private 1st Class

Unit:

Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army (Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All-American", US Army)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Arley O. Farley (ASN: 35254552), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 20 December 1944, at ***, Belgium. During an attack on this stubbornly defended enemy town, the advance of the right flank company of the attacking battalion was stopped and pinned down by fire from a 20-mm. cannon and supporting fire from automatic weapons. This fire had destroyed or neutralized five of the unit’s eight machine guns. Realizing that further loss of firepower by his unit would be disastrous, Private First Class Farley, a bazooka man, crawled in the face of this fire to a position from where he could deliver effective bazooka fire on the enemy cannon. With utter disregard of his personal safety, Private First Class Farley succeeded in reaching a position from where he was able to engage and destroy this cannon. This gallant and unselfish act enabled his unit to successfully continue its assault on the enemy MLR. The devotion to duty and initiative displayed by Private First Class Farley typifies the spirit and caliber of the parachute infantryman.

Headquarters, 82d Airborne Division, General Orders No. 31 (1945).
For action performed on 20 December 1944, at Cheneux (municipality Stoumont)/Province of Liège, Belgium.