Martin F. Maney was born in Oswego New York in 1918. In 1940 at the age of 22 he joined Oswego’s Company D, 151st Infantry, 38th Division of the New York National Guard as a private. He was eventually promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and placed in charge of a heavy weapons platoon seeing action in New Guinea and the Philippines. On April 4, 1944 he was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action and the Purple Heart for wounds received in repelling a banzai attack on Caballo Island.

⭐Lt. Martin F. Maney’s Silver Star Citation reads as follows:

By Direction of Major General William C. Chase, Lt. Martin F. Maney is hereby awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action on Cabollo Island, The Philippines. Lt. Maney, a machine gun platoon leader, was charged with the defense of the Battalion Command Post. About 0630 the enemy staged a surprise banzai attack and when they were but 10 yards from the command post, Lt. Maney, with complete disregard for his own life moved from his concealed position of comparative safety in order to get a better position to fire at the on-rushing enemy.

Even though Lt. Maney was severely wounded in both hands, he continued to fire his damaged weapon until it completely demolished and blasted from his hands. Due to his courageous action Lt. Maney, single handedly repulsed the enemy until his platoon could bring its automatic weapons into position. Lt Maney’s courage reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.

Martin Maney spent 18 months recovering from his wounds which eventually resulted in the loss of a finger on his left hand. He returned to the states and went to work for St. Regis Paper Company in their Human Relations Department. He retired from St. Regis after 40 years as Vice President of Labor Relations. Martin F. Maney passed away on October 11, 2017 at the age of 98. Lest We Forget.

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Original description and photo sourced by Mike Maney In honor of his father.