Willie F. Monday

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Willie F. Monday (0-1183931), First Lieutenant (Field Artillery), U.S. Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with the 24th Infantry Division between Palo and Pinamopoan, Leyte, Philippine Islands, from 24 October 1944 to 10 November 1944. During this period Lieutenant Monday voluntarily flew as liaison pilot over enemy territory in spite of awareness that liaison aircraft are slow, extremely vulnerable, and not ordinarily intended for such flights, and that enemy planes and antiaircraft fire were active in the area. Flying from short, hazardous fields, he was not able to take an observer with him but was nevertheless able to make accurate and skilled adjustments of artillery fire and make valuable reconnaissance reports. By his outstanding courage and willingness to meet military necessities beyond the call of his normal duties, Lieutenant Monday conducted himself in a manner worthy of the highest traditions of the military service.