[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 177 (Thursday, November 9, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2145]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     STEPHEN R. GREGG, A GREAT WAR VETERAN AND OUTSTANDING CITIZEN

                                 ______


                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 9, 1995

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great 
man, Stephen R. Gregg, who distinguished himself in combat in World War 
II and was awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor. Today, Mr. Gregg 
will be honored at a Veterans Day Ceremony to be held at City Hall in 
Bayonne, NJ.
  This week's ceremony caps a host of honors bestowed on him as a 
result of his brave deeds which include the naming of a Hudson County 
Park in his honor. On October 22, 1995 the Bayonne County Park was 
renamed the Stephen R. Gregg, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient 
Park at a ceremony in his honor.
  Mr. Gregg, a native of Bayonne, served in our Armed Forces as a young 
U.S. Army lieutenant. While engaged in the Italian campaign and on the 
battlefields of southern France, Mr. Gregg won the Nation's highest 
military honor.
  On August 27, 1944, Sergeant Gregg risked his life to save his fellow 
countrymen. Near Montelinar, France, Sergeant Gregg and his platoon 
were advancing on the enemy positions when suddenly someone fired upon 
the leading scout. Sergeant Gregg rushed to the aid of his riflemen who 
were engaged in fire. The Germans threw hand grenades at close range 
wounding several soldiers. While dodging hand grenades, Sergeant Gregg 
with a machine gun as his only shield boldly led a group of medics up a 
hill to rescue the soldiers that had been wounded. Despite all the 
crossfire and hand grenades being thrown at him, Sergeant Gregg risked 
his life to help his fellow countrymen. Sergeant Gregg stood there 
firing into the enemy positions while the wounded were removed to 
safety. In January, 1945, Mr. Gregg received a battlefield commission 
as a second lieutenant. Shortly afterwards on March 14, 1945 General 
Alexander Patch presented Mr. Gregg with the Congressional Medal of 
Honor. Mr. Gregg is one of the few soldiers to have received this great 
honor while in the field. Among his military decorations are the Silver 
Star, Purple Heart with cluster, French Croix de Guerre with Silver 
Star, Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, and many other campaign 
medals.
  I am certain my colleagues will rise with me and pay tribute to this 
gallant man. As a dedicated citizen, a courageous soldier, and a true 
American hero, Mr. Gregg embodies the best of American patriotism. Mr. 
Gregg is a man who has risked his life and contributed his skills to 
helping maintain and fight for the freedom that America cherishes so 
much.

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