APPENDIX I
The Medal of Honor is given to active-duty US servicemembers for conspicuous gallantry; it is America’s oldest continuously awarded honor. President Abraham Lincoln signed Public Resolution 82 establishing the US Navy’s Medal of Valor on December 21, 1861, “to be bestowed upon such petty officers, seamen, landsmen, and Marines as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry and other seamanlike qualities during the present war.” In recognition of US Army soldiers who distinguished themselves on the battlefield, Lincoln soon after signed a resolution providing the Army Medal of Honor for “such noncommissioned officers and privates as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action, and other soldierlike qualities, during the present insurrection.” In 1863 Congress combined the two services’ medals into one and adopted the name Medal of Honor. In 1942 the medal’s qualification criteria were changed, and the award was subsequently given for combat bravery only.
During World War II, 440 servicemen received the Medal of Honor, 250 of which were posthumously awarded. The Medal of Honor was awarded to 301 soldiers (US Army and Army Air Forces), 57 sailors, 81 Marines, and 1 Coast Guards-man. Twelve men were recognized for their bravery during Operation Overlord and in the subsequent battles to break out from the beachhead and begin the march to Germany.
Rank and Organization: Private, US Army, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division
Place and date: Near St. Laurent-sur-Mer, France, June 6, 1944
Entered service at: Albany, New York
Birth: November 24, 1919, Fulton, New York
Died: May 3, 1986, Napa, California
Citation (October 2, 1944): For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on June 6, 1944, in the vicinity of St. Laurent-sur-Mer, France.
On the morning of D-Day Pvt. Barrett, landing in the face of extremely heavy enemy fire, was forced to wade ashore through neck-deep water. Disregarding the personal danger, he returned to the surf again and again to assist his floundering comrades and save them from drowning. Refusing to remain pinned down by the intense barrage of small-arms and mortar fire poured at the landing points, Pvt. Barrett, working with fierce determination, saved many lives by carrying casualties to an evacuation boat lying offshore.
In addition to his assigned mission as guide, he carried dispatches the length of the fire-swept beach; he assisted the wounded; he calmed the shocked; he arose as a leader in the stress of the occasion. His coolness and his dauntless daring courage while constantly risking his life during a period of many hours had an inestimable effect on his comrades and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the US Army.
Rank and Organization: Second Lieutenant, US Army, Co. E, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division
Place and date: Normandy, France, June 14, 16, and 23, 1944
Entered service at: Buffalo, New York
Birth: August 4, 1922, Medina, New York
Citation (July 19, 1945; awarded posthumously): Heroically led his platoon against the enemy in Normandy, France, on June 14, 16, and 23, 1944. Although painfully wounded on June 14, near Orglandes, and again on June 16, while spearheading an attack to establish a bridgehead across the Douve River, he refused medical aid and remained with his platoon.
A week later, near Flottemanville-Hague, he led an assault on a tactically important and stubbornly defended hill studded with tanks, antitank guns, pillboxes, and machinegun emplacements, and protected by concentrated artillery and mortar fire. As the attack was launched, 2nd Lt. Butts, at the head of his platoon, was critically wounded by German machinegun fire. Although weakened by his injuries, he rallied his men and directed one squad to make a flanking movement while he alone made a frontal assault to draw the hostile fire upon himself. Once more he was struck, but by grim determination and sheer courage continued to crawl ahead. When within 10 yards of his objective, he was killed by direct fire. By his superb courage, unflinching valor and inspiring actions, Second Lt. Butts enabled his platoon to take a formidable strong point and contributed greatly to the success of his battalion’s mission.
Rank and Organization: Private First Class, US Army, Co. C, 325th Glider Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division
Place and date: Merderet River at La Fiére, France, June 9, 1944
Entered service at: Grand Island, New York
Birth: November 30, 1921, Grand Island, New York
Citation (February 28, 1946; awarded posthumously): PFC DeGlopper was a member of Company C, 325th Glider Infantry, on June 9, 1944, advancing with the forward platoon to secure a bridgehead across the Merderet River at La Fiére, France. At dawn the platoon had penetrated an outer line of machine-guns and riflemen, but in so doing had become cut off from the rest of the company. Vastly superior forces began a decimation of the stricken unit and put in motion a flanking maneuver which would have completely exposed the American platoon in a shallow roadside ditch where it had taken cover. Detecting this danger, PFC DeGlopper volunteered to support his comrades by fire from his automatic rifle while they attempted a withdrawal through a break in a hedge-row 40 yards to the rear.
Scorning a concentration of enemy automatic weapons and rifle fire, he walked from the ditch onto the road in full view of the Germans, and sprayed the hostile positions with assault fire. He was wounded, but he continued firing. Struck again, he started to fall; and yet his grim determination and valiant fighting spirit could not be broken. Kneeling in the roadway, weakened by his grievous wounds, he leveled his heavy weapon against the enemy and fired burst after burst until killed outright.
He was successful in drawing the enemy action away from his fellow soldiers, who continued the fight from a more advantageous position and established the first bridgehead over the Merderet River. In the area where he made his intrepid stand his comrades later found the ground strewn with dead Germans and many machineguns and automatic weapons which he had knocked out of action. PFC DeGlopper’s gallant sacrifice and unflinching heroism while facing unsurmountable odds were in great measure responsible for a highly important tactical victory in the Normandy Campaign.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, US Army, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division
Place and date: Near Goville, France, June 9–10, 1944
Entered service at: Manhattan, Kansas
Birth: May 7, 1921, Junction City, Kansas
Died: February 20, 2014, Long Beach, California
Citation (December 19, 1944): For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on June 9–10, 1944, near Goville, France. S/Sgt. Ehlers, always acting as the spearhead of the attack, repeatedly led his men against heavily defended enemy strong points, exposing himself to deadly hostile fire whenever the situation required heroic and courageous leadership. Without waiting for an order, S/Sgt. Ehlers, far ahead of his men, led his squad against a strongly defended enemy strong point, personally killing four of an enemy patrol who attacked him en route. Then crawling forward under withering machinegun fire, he pounced upon the guncrew and put it out of action.
Turning his attention to two mortars protected by the crossfire of two machine-guns, S/Sgt. Ehlers led his men through this hail of bullets to kill or put to flight the enemy of the mortar section, killing three men himself. After mopping up the mortar positions, he again advanced on a machinegun, his progress effectively covered by his squad. When he was almost on top of the gun he leaped to his feet and, although greatly outnumbered, he knocked out the position single-handed.
The next day, having advanced deep into enemy territory, the platoon of which S/Sgt. Ehlers was a member, finding itself in an untenable position as the enemy brought increased mortar, machinegun, and small arms fire to bear on it, was ordered to withdraw. S/Sgt. Ehlers, after his squad had covered the withdrawal of the remainder of the platoon, stood up and by continuous fire at the semicircle of enemy placements, diverted the bulk of the heavy hostile fire on himself, thus permitting the members of his own squad to withdraw. At this point, though wounded himself, he carried his wounded automatic rifleman to safety and then returned fearlessly over the shell-swept field to retrieve the automatic rifle which he was unable to carry previously.
After having his wound treated, he refused to be evacuated, and returned to lead his squad. The intrepid leadership, indomitable courage, and fearless aggressiveness displayed by S/Sgt. Ehlers in the face of overwhelming enemy forces serve as an inspiration to others.
Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, US Army, 101st Airborne Division
Place and date: Near Carentan, France, June 11, 1944
Entered service at: San Antonio, Texas
Birth: March 19, 1915, Fort Sam Houston, Texas
Citation (October 4, 1944; awarded post-humously): For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, on June 11, 1944, in France. Lt. Col. Cole was personally leading his battalion in forcing the last four bridges on the road to Carentan when his entire unit was suddenly pinned to the ground by intense and withering enemy rifle, machinegun, mortar, and artillery fire placed upon them from well-prepared and heavily fortified positions within 150 yards of the foremost elements.
After the devastating and unceasing enemy fire had for over one hour prevented any move and inflicted numerous casualties, Lt. Col. Cole, observing this almost hopeless situation, courageously issued orders to assault the enemy positions with fixed bayonets. With utter disregard for his own safety and completely ignoring the enemy fire, he rose to his feet in front of his battalion and with drawn pistol shouted to his men to follow him in the assault. Catching up a fallen man’s rifle and bayonet, he charged on and led the remnants of his battalion across the bullet-swept open ground and into the enemy position. His heroic and valiant action in so inspiring his men resulted in the complete establishment of our bridgehead across the Douve River.
The cool fearlessness, personal bravery, and outstanding leadership displayed by Lt. Col. Cole reflect great credit upon himself and are worthy of the highest praise in the military service.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, US Army, 1st Infantry Division
Place and date: Near Vaubadon, France, June 10, 1944
Entered service at: Saugus, Massachusetts
Birth: March 20, 1919, Saugus, Massachusetts
Citation (January 4, 1945; awarded post-humously): For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, on June 10, 1944, near Vaubadon, France.
As scouts were advancing across an open field, the enemy suddenly opened fire with several machineguns and hit one of the men. S/Sgt. DeFranzo courageously moved out in the open to the aid of the wounded scout and was himself wounded but brought the man to safety. Refusing aid, S/Sgt. DeFranzo reentered the open field and led the advance upon the enemy. There were always at least two machineguns bringing unrelenting fire upon him, but S/Sgt. DeFranzo kept going forward, firing into the enemy, and one by one the enemy emplacements became silent.
While advancing he was again wounded, but continued on until he was within 100 yards of the enemy position, and even as he fell, he kept firing his rifle and waving his men forward. When his company came up behind him, S/Sgt. DeFranzo, despite his many severe wounds, suddenly raised himself and once more moved forward in the lead of his men until he was again hit by enemy fire. In a final gesture of indomitable courage, he threw several grenades at the enemy machinegun position and completely destroyed the gun.
In this action, S/Sgt. DeFranzo lost his life, but by bearing the brunt of the enemy fire in leading the attack, he prevented a delay in the assault which would have been of considerable benefit to the foe, and he made possible his company’s advance with a minimum of casualties.
The extraordinary heroism and magnificent devotion to duty displayed by S/ Sgt. DeFranzo was a great inspiration to all about him, and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the armed forces.
Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant (then Corporal), US Army, Company E, 314th Infantry, 79th Infantry Division
Place and date: Fort du Roule, Cherbourg, France, June 25, 1944
Entered service at: Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania
Birth: July 8, 1923, Venango Township, Pennsylvania
Citation (January 24, 1945; awarded posthumously): For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. On June 25, 1944, in the vicinity of Fort du Roule, Cherbourg, France, when Cpl. Kelly’s unit was pinned down by heavy enemy machinegun fire emanating from a deeply entrenched strongpoint on the slope leading up to the fort, Cpl. Kelly volunteered to attempt to neutralize the strongpoint. Arming himself with a pole charge about 10 feet long and with 15 pounds of explosive affixed, he climbed the slope under a withering blast of machinegun fire and placed the charge at the strongpoint’s base. The subsequent blast was ineffective, and again, alone and unhesitatingly, he braved the slope to repeat the operation. This second blast blew off the ends of the enemy guns. Cpl. Kelly then climbed the slope a third time to place a pole charge at the strongpoint’s rear entrance. When this had been blown open he hurled hand grenades inside the position, forcing survivors of the enemy gun crews to come out and surrender.
The gallantry, tenacity of purpose, and utter disregard for personal safety displayed by Cpl. Kelly were an incentive to his comrades and worthy of emulation by all.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, US Army, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division
Place and date: Near Colleville-sur-Mer, France, June 6, 1944
Entered service at: Richmond, Virginia
Birth: July 1, 1917, Low Moor, Virginia
Citation (March 29, 1945; awarded post-humously): For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on June 6, 1944, near Colleville-sur-Mer, France.
First Lt. Monteith landed with the initial assault waves on the coast of France under heavy enemy fire. Without regard to his own personal safety he continually moved up and down the beach reorganizing men for further assault. He then led the assault over a narrow protective ledge and across the flat, exposed terrain to the comparative safety of a cliff.
Retracing his steps across the field to the beach, he moved over to where two tanks were buttoned up and blind under violent enemy artillery and machinegun fire. Completely exposed to the intense fire, First Lt. Monteith led the tanks on foot through a minefield and into firing positions. Under his direction several enemy positions were destroyed. He then rejoined his company and under his leadership his men captured an advantageous position on the hill. Supervising the defense of his newly won position against repeated vicious counterattacks, he continued to ignore his own personal safety, repeatedly crossing the 200 or 300 yards of open terrain under heavy fire to strengthen links in his defensive chain. When the enemy succeeded in completely surrounding First Lt. Monteith and his unit and while leading the fight out of the situation, First Lt. Monteith was killed by enemy fire. The courage, gallantry, and intrepid leadership displayed by First Lt. Monteith is worthy of emulation.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, US Army, Company K, 314th Infantry, 79th Infantry Division
Place and date: Near Fort du Roule, France, June 25, 1944
Entered service at: Fairmont, Illinois
Birth: May 19, 1917, Borton, Illinois
Died: April 2, 2001, Palo Alto, California
Citation (June 28, 1945): On the morning of June 25, 1944, near Fort du Roule, guarding the approaches to Cherbourg, France, First Lt. Ogden’s company was pinned down by fire from a German 88mm gun and two machineguns. Arming himself with an M-1 rifle, a grenade launcher, and a number of rifle and hand grenades, he left his company in position and advanced alone, under fire, up the slope toward the enemy emplacements. Struck on the head and knocked down by a glancing machinegun bullet, 1st Lt. Ogden, in spite of his painful wound and enemy fire from close range, continued up the hill. Reaching a vantage point, he silenced the 88mm gun with a well-placed rifle grenade and then, with hand grenades, knocked out the two machine-guns, again being painfully wounded.
First Lt. Ogden’s heroic leadership and indomitable courage in alone silencing these enemy weapons inspired his men to greater effort and cleared the way for the company to continue the advance and reach its objectives.
Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, US Army, Company K, 116th Infantry, 29th Infantry Division
Place and date: Grandcampe, France, June 8, 1944
Entered service at: Charlottesville, Virginia
Born: April 10, 1915, Esmont, Virginia
Citation (May 30, 1945; awarded posthumously): On June 8, 1944, the 3rd Battalion of the 116th Infantry was advancing on the strongly held German defenses at Grandcampe, France, when the leading elements were suddenly halted by decimating machinegun fire from a firmly entrenched enemy force on the high ground overlooking the town. After numerous attempts to neutralize the enemy position by supporting artillery and tank fire had proved ineffective, T/Sgt. Peregory, on his own initiative, advanced up the hill under withering fire, and worked his way to the crest where he discovered an entrenchment leading to the main enemy fortifications 200 yards away. Without hesitating, he leaped into the trench and moved toward the emplacement. Encountering a squad of enemy riflemen, he fearlessly attacked them with hand grenades and bayonet, killed 8 and forced 3 to surrender. Continuing along the trench, he single-handedly forced the surrender of 32 more riflemen, captured the machine gunners, and opened the way for the leading elements of the battalion to advance and secure its objective. The extraordinary gallantry and aggressiveness displayed by T/Sgt. Peregory are exemplary of the highest tradition of the armed forces.
Rank and organization: Technician Fifth Grade, US Army, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division
Place and date: Near Colleville-sur-Mer, France, June 6, 1944
Entered Service at: Burgettstown, Pennsylvania
Birth: June 6, 1912, McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania
Citation (January 4, 1945; awarded post-humously): For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on June 6, 1944, near Colleville-sur-Mer, France. On D-day, Technician Fifth Grade Pinder landed on the coast 100 yards offshore under devastating enemy machinegun and artillery fire which caused severe casualties among the boatload.
Carrying a vitally important radio, he struggled towards shore in waist-deep water. Only a few yards from his craft he was hit by enemy fire and was gravely wounded. Technician Fifth Grade Pinder never stopped. He made shore and delivered the radio. Refusing to take cover afforded, or to accept medical attention for his wounds, Technician Fifth Grade Pinder, though terribly weakened by loss of blood and in fierce pain, on three occasions went into the fire-swept surf to salvage communication equipment. He recovered many vital parts and equipment, including another workable radio.
On the third trip he was again hit, suffering machinegun bullet wounds in the legs. Still this valiant soldier would not stop for rest or medical attention. Remaining exposed to heavy enemy fire, growing steadily weaker, he aided in establishing the vital radio communication on the beach. While so engaged this dauntless soldier was hit for the third time and killed. The indomitable courage and personal bravery of Technician Fifth Grade Pinder was a magnificent inspiration to the men with whom he served.
Rank and organization: Brigadier General, US Army
Place and date: Normandy invasion, June 6, 1944
Entered service at: Oyster Bay, New York
Birth: September 13, 1887, Oyster Bay, New York
Citation (September 28, 1944; awarded posthumously): For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on June 6, 1944, in France. After two verbal requests to accompany the leading assault elements in the Normandy invasion had been denied, Brig. Gen. Roosevelt’s written request for this mission was approved and he landed with the first wave of the forces assaulting the enemy-held beaches.
He repeatedly led groups from the beach, over the seawall and established them inland. His valor, courage, and presence in the very front of the attack and his complete unconcern at being under heavy fire inspired the troops to heights of enthusiasm and self-sacrifice.
Although the enemy had the beach under constant direct fire, Brig. Gen. Roosevelt moved from one locality to another, rallying men around him, directed and personally led them against the enemy. Under his seasoned, precise, calm, and unfaltering leadership, assault troops reduced beach strong points and rapidly moved inland with minimum casualties. He thus contributed substantially to the successful establishment of the beachhead in France.
Source: US Army Center of Military History (Normandy Invasion, Medal of Honor Recipients) with additions by the author: https://history.army.mil/html/reference/Normandy/nor-moh.html