[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 72 (Friday, June 10, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 10, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                            THE MEN OF D-DAY

  Mr. DOLE. Madam President, earlier this week I had the honor to be 
present for ceremonies commemorating the 50th anniversary of D-day. I 
stood at Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, and the American cemetery at 
Colleville, reflecting on the sacrifice of Americans, Poles, British, 
Canadians, French, and many more who fought and died on the beaches of 
Normandy. Earlier, I was in Italy for ceremonies commemorating the 
landings at Anzio and Nettuno, and for the liberation of Rome.
  The importance of the ceremonies was brought home to me when a young 
American lady--traveling with her grandfather, a veteran of D-day--said 
to me: ``I never understood the meaning of American leadership until I 
came to Normandy.''
  Leadership is what D-day was all about and it is a lesson that spans 
generations. Many nations contributed, but D-day never would have 
happened without American leadership--at all levels. American 
leadership from the man from Abilene, Dwight David Eisenhower, who 
commanded allied forces on D-day, to Walt Ehlers, a humble sergeant 
from Junction City, KS.
  We all know the story of General Eisenhower--his careful planning, 
and his agonizing decision to move ahead with the landing despite a 
less than ideal weather forecast. However, other stories of American 
leadership in D-day are not as well known.
  The story of Walt Ehlers is told in a pamphlet I read this week, 
describing Congressional Medal of Honor winners during the Normandy 
campaign. The stories of heroism and bravery are in the finest 
tradition of American military leadership. The story of Lt. Col. Leon 
Vance who landed his bomber despite serious wounds which prevented him 
from even looking out the plane's windshield. The story of Lt. Jimmie 
Montieth who rallied troops in the critical first hours at Omaha Beach, 
led tanks through minefields, and made the Ultimate sacrifice on June 
6, 1944.
  All American military units had their share of heroes. The 10th 
Mountain Division in which I served in Italy, had many. Men like Pvt. 
John McGrath, the 10th's only Medal of Honor winner. On Hill 909 on 
April 14, 1944, Private McGrath captured two German machinegun 
positions and led his company after the commander had been killed. 
Private McGrath Lost his life later that day trying to gather a 
casualty report of his fallen comrades.
  Much has been said and written about D-day in the last few weeks. But 
no stories are more eloquent than the stories of the Normandy Medal of 
Honor winners. Last Saturday after the liberation of Rome ceremonies, 
and again last Monday before the Omaha Beach ceremonies, I had the 
honor and the privilege of meeting Walt Ehlers, the hero from Kansas, 
and the only surviving Medal of Honor winner from the Normandy 
campaign. The world watched last Monday as Walt Ehlers spoke on Omaha 
Beach exactly 50 years after he landed on the shores of Europe. Walt 
Ehlers lost a brother that day in the fighting. Today, he is a 
grandfather who speaks not of the glory of war, but of the honor of 
scarifice--sacrifice which made the world safe for his grandchildren 
and for future generations of Americans.
  I salute all the veterans of World War Two--those of Normandy and the 
European Theater, those in my part of the war in Italy, and those in 
the Pacific Theater.
  Madam President, I ask consent that the stories of the American 
heroes who were awarded the Medal of Honor in the Normandy campaign be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

   [From ``The Congressional Medal of Honor: The Names, the Deeds'']

                                 Heroes


                                 D-DAY

                   Vance, Leon R., Jr. (Air Mission)

       Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Corps, 
     489th Bomber Group.
       Place and date: Over Wimeraux, France, 5 June 1944.
       Entered service at: Garden City, N.Y.
       Born: 11 August 1916, Enid, Okla.
       G.O. No.: 1, 4 January 1945.
       Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above 
     and beyond the call of duty on 5 June 1944, when he led a 
     Heavy Bombardment Group, in an attack against defended enemy 
     coastal positions in the vicinity of Wimeraux, France. 
     Approaching the target, his aircraft was hit repeatedly by 
     antiaircraft fire which seriously crippled the ship, killed 
     the pilot, and wounded several members of the crew, including 
     Lt. Col. Vance, whose right foot was practically severed. In 
     spite of his injury, and with 3 engines lost to the flak, he 
     led his formation over the target, bombing it successfully. 
     After applying a tourniquet to his leg with the aid of the 
     radar operator, Lt. Col. Vance, realizing that the ship was 
     approaching a stall altitude with the 1 remaining engine 
     failing, struggled to a semi-upright position beside the 
     copilot and took over control of the ship. Cutting the power 
     and feathering the last engine he put the aircraft in glide 
     sufficiently steep to maintain his airspeed. Gradually losing 
     altitude, he at last reached the English coast, whereupon he 
     ordered all members of the crew to bail out as he knew they 
     would all safely make land. But he received a message over 
     the interphone system which led him to believe 1 of the 
     crewmembers was unable to jump due to injuries; so he made 
     the decision to ditch the ship in the channel, thereby giving 
     this man a chance for life. To add further to the danger of 
     ditching the ship in his crippled condition, there was a 500-
     pound bomb hung up in the bomb bay. Unable to climb into the 
     seat vacated by the copilot, since his foot, hanging on to 
     his leg by a few tendons, had become lodged behind the 
     copilot's seat, he nevertheless made a successful ditching 
     while lying on the floor using only aileron and elevators for 
     control and the side window of the cockpit for visual 
     reference. On coming to rest in the water the aircraft 
     commenced to sink rapidly with Lt. Col. Vance pinned in the 
     cockpit by the upper turret which had crashed in during the 
     landing. As it was settling beneath the waves an explosion 
     occurred which threw Lt. Col. Vance clear of the wreckage. 
     After clinging to a piece of floating wreckage until he could 
     muster enough strength to inflate his life vest he begain 
     searching for the crewmember whom he believed to be aboard. 
     Failing to find anyone he began swimming and was found 
     approximately 50 minutes later by an Air-Sea Rescue craft. By 
     his extraordinary flying skill and gallant leadership, 
     despite his grave injury, Lt. Col. Vance led his formation to 
     a successful bombing of the assigned target and returned the 
     crew to a point where they could bail out with safety. His 
     gallant and valorous decision to ditch the aircraft in order 
     to give the crewmember he believed to be aboard a chance for 
     life exemplifies the highest traditions of the U.S. Armed 
     Forces.

                        Roosevelt, Theodore, Jr.

       Rank and organization: Brigadier General, U.S. Army.
       Place and date: Normandy Invasion, 6 June 1944.
       Entered Service at: Oyster Bay, N.Y.
       Birth: Oyster Bay, N.Y.
       G.O. No.: 77, 28 September 1944.
       Citation: For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his 
     life above and beyond the call of duty on 6 June 1944, in 
     France. After 2 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 
     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.

                          Pinder, John J., Jr.

       Rank and organization: Technician Fifth Grade, U.S. Army, 
     16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division.
       Place and date: Near Colleville-sur-Mer, France, 6 June 
     1944.
       Entered service at: Burgettstown, Pa.
       Birth: McKees Rock, Pa.
       G.O. No.: 1, 4 January 1945.
       Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above 
     and beyond the call of duty on 6 June 1944, near Colleville-
     sur-Mer, France. On D-day, Technician 5th Grade Pinder landed 
     on the coast 100 yards off shore 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 5th 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 5th Grade Pinder, though terribly weakened by loss 
     of blood and in fierce pain, on 3 occasions went into the 
     fire-swept surf to salvage communication equipment. He 
     recovered many vital parts and equipment, including another 
     workable radio. On the 3rd trip he as 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 
     waker, 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 5th Grade Pinder was a 
     magnificent inspiration to the men with whom he served.

                        Monteith, Jimmie W., Jr.

       Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 16th 
     Infantry, 1st Infantry Division.
       Place and date: Near Colleville-sur-Mer, France, 6 June 
     1944.
       Entered service at: Richmond, Va.
       Born: 1 July 1917, Low Moor, Va.
       G.O. No.: 20, 29 March 1945.
       Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above 
     and beyond the call of duty on 6 June 1944, near Colleville-
     sur-Mer, France. 1st 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 2 tanks were buttoned up 
     and blind under violent enemy artillery and machinegun fire. 
     Completely exposed to the intense fire, 1st 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 terrain under heavy fire to strengthen links 
     in his defensive chain. When the enemy succeeded in 
     completely surrounding 1st Lt. Monteith and his unit and 
     while leading the fight out of the situation, 1st Lt. 
     Monteith was killed by enemy fire. The courage, gallantry, 
     and intrepid displayed by 1st Lt. Monteith is worthy of 
     emulation.

                          Barrett, Carlton W.

       Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, 18th Infantry, 
     1st Infantry Division.
       Place and date: Near St. Laurent-sur-Mer, France, 6 June 
     1944.
       Entered service at: Albany, N.Y.
       Born: Fulton, N.Y.
       G.O. No.: 78, 2 October 1944.
       Citation: For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his 
     life above and beyond the call of duty on 6 June 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 dispataches 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 U.S. Army.

                           Peregory, Frank D.

       Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Amy, 
     Company K, 116th Infantry, 29th Infantry Division.
       Place and date: Grandcampe, France, 8 June 1944.
       Entered service at: Charlottesville, Va.
       Born: 10 April 1915, Esmont, Va.
       G.O. No.: 43, 30 May 1945.
       Citation: On 8 June 1944, the 3d 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 handgrenades and bayonet, killed 8 and 
     forced 3 to surrender. Continuing along the trench, he 
     singlehandedly 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.

                         DeGlopper, Charles N.

       Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Co. 
     C, 325th Glider Infantry, 82d Airborne Division.
       Place and date: Merderet River at la Fiere, France, 9 June 
     1944.
       Entered service at: Grand Island, N.Y.
       Birth: Grand Island, N.Y.
       G.O. No.: 22, 28 February 1946.
       Citation: He was a member of Company C, 325th Glider 
     Infantry, on 9 June 1944 advancing with the forward platoon 
     to secure a bridgehead across the Merderet River at La Fiere, 
     France. At dawn the platoon had penetrated an out line of 
     machineguns 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 hedgerow 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. 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.

                           Ehlers, Walter D.

       Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, 18th 
     Infantry, 1st Infantry Division.
       Place and date: Near Goville, France, 9-10 June 1944.
       Entered service at: Manhattan, Kans.
       Birth: Junction City, Kans.
       G.O. No.: 91, 19 December 1944.
       Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the 
     risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 9-10 
     June 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 4 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 2 
     motars protected by the crossfire of 2 machineguns, S/Sgt. 
     Ehlers led his men through this hail of bullets to kill or 
     put to flight the enemy of the mortar section, killing 3 men 
     himself. After mopping up the mortar positions, he again 
     advanced on a machine gun, 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 singlehanded. 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.

                          DeFranzo, Arthur F.

       Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, 1st 
     Infantry Division.
       Place and date: Near Vaubadon, France, 10 June 1944.
       Entered service at: Saugus, Mass.
       Birth: Saugus, Mass.
       G.O. No.: 1, 4 January 1945.
       Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the 
     risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, on 10 
     June 1944, near Vaubadon, France. As scouts were advancing 
     across an open field, the enemy suddenly opened fire with 
     several machineguns and hit 1 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 2 
     machineguns bringing unrelenting fire upon him, but S/Sgt. 
     DeFranzo kept going forward, firing into the enemy and 1 by 1 
     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 the 
     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.

                            Cole, Robert G.

       Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, 101st 
     Airborne Division.
       Place and date: Near Carentan, France, 11 June 1944.
       Entered service at: San Antonio, Tex.
       Birth: Fort Sam Houston, Tex.
       G.O. No.: 79, 4 October 1944.
       Citation: For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his 
     own life, above and beyond the call of duty on 11 June 1944, 
     in France. Lt. Col. Cole was personally leading his battalion 
     in forcing the last 4 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 1 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 reflected great credit upon 
     himself and are worthy of the highest praise in the military 
     service.

                             Butts, John E.

       Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Co. E, 
     60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division.
       Place and Date: Normandy, France, 14, 16 and 23 June 1944.
       Entered service at: Buffalo, N.Y.
       Birth: Medina, N.Y.
       G.O. No.: 58, 19 July 1945.
       Citation: Heroically led his platoon against the enemy in 
     Normandy, France, on 14, 16, and 23 June 1944. Although 
     painfully wounded on the 14th near Orglandes and again on the 
     16th 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 2d 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 1 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, 2d Lt. Butts enabled his platoon to take a 
     formidable strong point and contributed greatly to the 
     success of his battalion's mission.

                            Ogden, Carlos C.

       Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company 
     K, 314th Infantry, 79th Infantry Division.
       Place and date: Near Fort du Roule, France, 25 June 1944.
       Entered service at: Fairmont, Ill.
       Born: 19 May 1917, Borton, Ill.
       G.O. No.: 49, 28 June 1945.
       Citation: On the morning of 25 June 1944, near Fort du 
     Roule, guarding the approaches to Cherbourg, France, 1st Lt. 
     Ogden's company was pinned down by fire from a German 88-mm. 
     gun and 2 machineguns. Arming himself with an M1 rifle, a 
     grenade launcher, and a number of rifle and handgrenades, 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 88-mm. gun with a well-placed rifle grenade 
     and then, with handgrenades, knocked out the 2 machineguns, 
     again being painfully wounded. 1st Lt. Ogden's heroic 
     leadership and indomitable courage in along 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.

                             Kelly, John D.

       Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant (then Corporal), 
     U.S. Army, Company E, 314th Infantry, 79 Infantry Division.
       Place and date: Fort Du Roule, Cherbourg, France, 25 June 
     1944.
       Entered service at: Cambridge Springs, Pa.
       Birth: Venango Township, Pa.
       G.O. No.: 6, 24 January 1945
       Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the 
     risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. On 25 
     June 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. The 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 
     handgrenades inside the position, forcing survivors of the 
     enemy guncrews 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.

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