Floyd Farley

In honor of Veterans Day, Gowanda Historian Phil Palen is reminding the community about a local hero.

Floyd Farley, who was born and raised in Gowanda, was a sergeant with the 45th Division until his discharge.

Farley was serving with the 45th Division in Korea in a forward area known as Shanghai Heights and in a particular spot known as T-Bone Hill. He was with Company I of the 180th regiment.

In taking the hill, every man in the assault platoon was killed or wounded with the exception of Farley and a medic. The medic was wounded soon after the capture of the hill. Farley, during a lull after the capture, relieved the wounded medic with his supplies and gave plasma and administered drugs to the wounded. When he ran out of tourniquets he stripped the belts off of two dead comrades and used them to stop bleeding and save lives. One of those saved was his commanding officer.

During this life-saving activity, the position was shelled and Farley was knocked down a slope and was unconscious for 45 minutes. When he regained consciousness he crawled back to the top of the crest, placed the wounded men who were able to hold a gun in firing positions and was thereby able to stave off an enemy attack.

On Dec. 7, 1952, Farley received the Silver Star for gallantry in action in Korea. The ceremony was attended by more than 100 Legionnaires and members of the Auxiliary. Local members participating in the ceremony were Past Commander Bob Perrigo and Jack Rose, a member of the Organized Reserves.