Johan Willaert Posted June 8, 2012 Share #1 Posted June 8, 2012 This day marks the 68th anniversary of Sgt Peregory's daring exploit which earned him the CMOH at Grandcamp, Normandy on June 8th, 1944. Frank Peregory would not live to receive the Medal as he was KIA about a week later on June 14th. He is buried at the Normandy ABMC Cemetery. Since I have a bit of paperwork related to him, every time I'm in Normandy I go by his grave to pay my respects... I drive by the Grandcamp memorial dozens of times while staying there... A WW2 picture of Sgt Peregory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted June 8, 2012 Author Share #2 Posted June 8, 2012 Sgt Peregory is honored in the Normandy Cemetery Visitors' Center with this plaque Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted June 8, 2012 Author Share #3 Posted June 8, 2012 He rests in Plot G, Row 21, Grave 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted June 8, 2012 Author Share #4 Posted June 8, 2012 The monument honoring Sgt Peregory is on top of a small German stronghold on the D514 road at the entrance of Grandcamp Maisy in Normandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted June 8, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted June 8, 2012 His CMOH Citation reads: On 8 June 1944, the 3d Battalion of the 116th Infantry was advancing on the strongly held German defenses at Grandcamp-Maisy, France, when the leading elements were suddenly halted by decimating machine gun 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. Below is the two page Official Press Release following the award from 1945 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill47 Posted June 8, 2012 Share #6 Posted June 8, 2012 Thanks for posting and for remembering this 29'er. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
everforward Posted June 8, 2012 Share #7 Posted June 8, 2012 Thanks for posting, Johan. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
everforward Posted October 12, 2014 Share #8 Posted October 12, 2014 I was lucky enough to examine this up close today, and I wanted to share this on this thread-- I thought some folks may like to see Frank Peregory's uniform and his MOH. This was recently donated by the family to the current location of the 116th Infantry Regt. Museum in Verona, Va. It is thought that he was he only person in the Army in WW2 to be awarded the MOH and the Soldier's Medal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B229 Posted October 12, 2014 Share #9 Posted October 12, 2014 The street the National Guard armory is on in Charlottesville, his hometown, is on Peregory Lane and the USAR Center in Charlottesville is named in his honor. There is also a barracks complex at Fort Pickett that is named after him. Ironically, his name was apparently misspelled back when he went in the Guard and it should really be Peregoy. At least according to some of his family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squad leader Posted October 12, 2014 Share #10 Posted October 12, 2014 Here is a marker in honor of Frank Peregory. It is located in front of the church in Couvains, the Norman village where he was killed in action on June 14, 1944. (I took the picture on June 6, 1944.) Dan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David D Posted October 12, 2014 Share #11 Posted October 12, 2014 Those are some amazing pieces to honor him. And may that hero rest in peace -Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squad leader Posted October 12, 2014 Share #12 Posted October 12, 2014 Here is a marker in honor of Frank Peregory. It is located in front of the church in Couvains, the Norman village where he was killed in action on June 14, 1944. (I took the picture on June 6, 1944.) Dan. In fact I took the picture on June 6, 2012. Sorry for the typo... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectre Posted October 23, 2014 Share #13 Posted October 23, 2014 Great tribute, I saw his cross when I was in Normandy in 2004. They need to add a CIB to his uniform in the museum, surprised they left that off. Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squad leader Posted October 23, 2014 Share #14 Posted October 23, 2014 They need to add a CIB to his uniform in the museum, surprised they left that off. Alan, It's very surprising but according to the 116th inf. General Orders (which give the names of the CIB recipients), Frank Peregory was never awarded the CIB. I think that's the reason why there's no CIB on his uniform. Dan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David D Posted October 23, 2014 Share #15 Posted October 23, 2014 Pretty ironic he wasn't awarded one. but it looks like there once was one. if you look closely next to the MOH ribbon there is a hole from a pin on either side. about the size of a CIB. -Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squad leader Posted October 23, 2014 Share #16 Posted October 23, 2014 Pretty ironic he wasn't awarded one. but it looks like there once was one. if you look closely next to the MOH ribbon there is a hole from a pin on either side. about the size of a CIB. -Dave Hi Dave, IMO this is the mark of an EIB (Expert Infantry Badge). In the 116th Inf., the first CIB was awarded on July 11, 1944 (GO# 11, 1944) to S/Sgt George B. Constender, almost one month after Peregory's death. I'm not 100% sure but I think the CIB can't be awarded posthumously. Dan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
everforward Posted October 23, 2014 Share #17 Posted October 23, 2014 As far as 'how' Peregory's 4-Pocket is presented, I will try and get an answer on this--it may have been given to the museum just as we see it by the family.....of course, due to his early death in the campaign, it is highly certain that he never knew about any of his awards of valor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David D Posted October 23, 2014 Share #18 Posted October 23, 2014 I didn't think of that Dan. That is a good point and you are probably right. -Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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