Frank D. Peregory
Encyclopedia
Frank D. Peregory was a United States Army
technical sergeant
who posthumously received the United States military's highest decoration for bravery in combat, the Medal of Honor
, for his actions during World War II
. In a previous incident, he also received the Soldier's Medal
for rescuing another soldier from drowning.
Peregory grew up in a large family in Virginia and although he was only 15 years old, in 1931 he lied about his age in order to join the Virginia Army National Guard. When the United States entered World War II in December 1941 his unit was activated and while performing training Peregory received the Soldiers medal for saving a fellow soldier from drowning.
When the unit arrived for combat overseas they were assigned to the D-Day
invasion of Normandy and Peregory again risked his life by single handedly attacking a fortified German machine-gun emplacement, killing several and take more than 30 prisoner. For his actions during the battle he later received the Medal of Honor. The Medal was presented posthumously however because on June 12, 1944, six days after the action for which he would received the Medal of Honor, he was killed.
, and grew up in a large, impoverished, but tightly knit family in Albemarle County, Virginia
. His family name is actually spelled “Peregoy” according to historian Richard H. Britton, although most references spell his name “Peregory.” His birth year is also typically given erroneously as 1915.
National Guard at Charlottesville
which is the county seat of Albemarle. Because Peregoy was only fifteen at the time, he lied about his year of birth, and this misinformation became part of his permanent record along with the presumably accidental misspelling of his surname. Upon the entrance of the United States
into World War II, Peregoy's Guard unit became Company K of the 116th Infantry, 29th Infantry Division and they were inducted into federal service February 3, 1941.
As a member of the 29th Division Peregory moved with it to Fort Meade and the unit began training for participation in the war. During a training exercise in North Carolina
before being sent overseas, Peregoy rescued a drowning comrade. In recognition of his action and disregard of danger to himself, he was awarded the Soldier's Medal, the highest non combat award that a soldier can receive for saving a life. The 29th was then sent overseas to train in Scotland and England for the next two years. The 29th was selected along with the Regular Army's 1st Infantry Division to attack one of five fortified beaches, codenamed "Omaha,".
as part of the Normandy Invasion, also known as D-Day
. His unit was among the first wave of troops to assault the beach but despite fierce enemy resistance that included heavy shelling and machine gun fire, his unit made its way to the town of Grandcampe
, by June 8.
While his unit advanced on the German defenses the leading elements of his unit began receiving fire from German forces. The Germans were firmly entrenched on high ground overlooking the town and were able to inflict severe damage to allied forces as they approached. Numerous attempts to neutralize the enemy position by supporting artillery and tank fire had proved ineffective until Technical Sergeant Peregory, risked his own life by advanced up the hill under heavy enemy fire. He worked his way to the crest of the hill 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. When he encountered a squad of enemy riflemen, he attacked them with hand grenades and his bayonet, killed 8 and forced 3 to surrender. He then continued along the trench, forcing more than 32 German soldiers to surrender, including the machine gunners. This action opened the way for the leading elements of the battalion allowing them to advance and secure its objective. For his actions Peregory was recommended and approved for the Medal of Honor. His Medal of Honor citation reads:
Citation:
in Virginia was dedicated to Peregoy in 1984. In June 2010 a rededication ceremony was held and a new monument was unveiled with descriptions of his actions regarding the Medal of Honor and the Soldiers Medal. The Frank D. Peregory United States Army Reserve Center, located in Charlottesville, Virginia is named in his honor as well as the Frank D. Peregory Fitness Center located in Camp McGovern Bosnia.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
technical sergeant
Technical Sergeant
Technical Sergeant is the name of one current and two former enlisted ranks in the United States military.-United States Air Force:Technical Sergeant, or Tech Sergeant, is the sixth enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force, just above Staff Sergeant and below Master Sergeant. A technical sergeant is...
who posthumously received the United States military's highest decoration for bravery in combat, the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
, for his actions during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In a previous incident, he also received the Soldier's Medal
Soldier's Medal
The Soldier's Medal is a military award of the United States Army. It was introduced as Section 11 of the Air Corps Act, passed by the Congress of the United States on July 2, 1926...
for rescuing another soldier from drowning.
Peregory grew up in a large family in Virginia and although he was only 15 years old, in 1931 he lied about his age in order to join the Virginia Army National Guard. When the United States entered World War II in December 1941 his unit was activated and while performing training Peregory received the Soldiers medal for saving a fellow soldier from drowning.
When the unit arrived for combat overseas they were assigned to the D-Day
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
invasion of Normandy and Peregory again risked his life by single handedly attacking a fortified German machine-gun emplacement, killing several and take more than 30 prisoner. For his actions during the battle he later received the Medal of Honor. The Medal was presented posthumously however because on June 12, 1944, six days after the action for which he would received the Medal of Honor, he was killed.
Early life and name
He was born April 10, 1916 at Esmont, VirginiaEsmont, Virginia
Esmont is a census-designated place in Albemarle County, Virginia, United States. The population as of the 2010 Census was 528.-References:*...
, and grew up in a large, impoverished, but tightly knit family in Albemarle County, Virginia
Albemarle County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 79,236 people, 31,876 households, and 21,070 families residing in the county. The population density was 110 people per square mile . There were 33,720 housing units at an average density of 47 per square mile...
. His family name is actually spelled “Peregoy” according to historian Richard H. Britton, although most references spell his name “Peregory.” His birth year is also typically given erroneously as 1915.
Military career
In 1931 he joined the VirginiaVirginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
National Guard at Charlottesville
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
which is the county seat of Albemarle. Because Peregoy was only fifteen at the time, he lied about his year of birth, and this misinformation became part of his permanent record along with the presumably accidental misspelling of his surname. Upon the entrance of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
into World War II, Peregoy's Guard unit became Company K of the 116th Infantry, 29th Infantry Division and they were inducted into federal service February 3, 1941.
As a member of the 29th Division Peregory moved with it to Fort Meade and the unit began training for participation in the war. During a training exercise in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
before being sent overseas, Peregoy rescued a drowning comrade. In recognition of his action and disregard of danger to himself, he was awarded the Soldier's Medal, the highest non combat award that a soldier can receive for saving a life. The 29th was then sent overseas to train in Scotland and England for the next two years. The 29th was selected along with the Regular Army's 1st Infantry Division to attack one of five fortified beaches, codenamed "Omaha,".
Medal of Honor action
After the assault had been postponed several times, on June 6, 1944, Peregoy landed with the 116th at Omaha BeachOmaha Beach
Omaha Beach is the code name for one of the five sectors of the Allied invasion of German-occupied France in the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944, during World War II...
as part of the Normandy Invasion, also known as D-Day
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
. His unit was among the first wave of troops to assault the beach but despite fierce enemy resistance that included heavy shelling and machine gun fire, his unit made its way to the town of Grandcampe
Grandcamp-Maisy
Grandcamp-Maisy is a commune in the Calvados department in the Basse-Normandie region in northwestern France.-Geography:Grandcamp-Maisy is located on the coast, north east of Isigny-sur-Mer and west of Pointe du Hoc...
, by June 8.
While his unit advanced on the German defenses the leading elements of his unit began receiving fire from German forces. The Germans were firmly entrenched on high ground overlooking the town and were able to inflict severe damage to allied forces as they approached. Numerous attempts to neutralize the enemy position by supporting artillery and tank fire had proved ineffective until Technical Sergeant Peregory, risked his own life by advanced up the hill under heavy enemy fire. He worked his way to the crest of the hill 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. When he encountered a squad of enemy riflemen, he attacked them with hand grenades and his bayonet, killed 8 and forced 3 to surrender. He then continued along the trench, forcing more than 32 German soldiers to surrender, including the machine gunners. This action opened the way for the leading elements of the battalion allowing them to advance and secure its objective. For his actions Peregory was recommended and approved for the Medal of Honor. His Medal of Honor citation reads:
Citation:
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.
Death and burial
Six days later, Peregory was killed while fighting in the hedgerows. He is buried at the American Battle Monuments Cemetery in Normandy also known as Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer Basse-Normandie Region, France. His grave can be found in section G, row 21, grave 7.Honors
A building complex at Fort PickettFort Pickett
Fort Pickett, Virginia, is a Virginia Army National Guard installation, located near the town of Blackstone, Virginia. It is named for the United States Army officer and Confederate General George Pickett.- Beginnings :...
in Virginia was dedicated to Peregoy in 1984. In June 2010 a rededication ceremony was held and a new monument was unveiled with descriptions of his actions regarding the Medal of Honor and the Soldiers Medal. The Frank D. Peregory United States Army Reserve Center, located in Charlottesville, Virginia is named in his honor as well as the Frank D. Peregory Fitness Center located in Camp McGovern Bosnia.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II