[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 17 (Wednesday, February 16, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF STEPHEN R. GREGG

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 16, 2005

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Stephen R. Gregg, a 
distinguished Congressional Medal of Honor winner whose life was 
devoted to serving the community and his country. Mr. Gregg was 
remembered at a memorial service on February 11, 2005, in Bayonne, New 
Jersey.
  A decorated veteran of World War II, Mr. Gregg began his army service 
in 1942 and joined the Weapons Platoon, Company L, 143rd Infantry, 36th 
Infantry Division. After training in Algeria, his unit was sent to 
Italy, where he suffered shrapnel injuries to his back and leg. During 
a battle in France, Mr. Gregg, then a technical sergeant, single-
handedly slowed the advance of German soldiers. This enabled medics to 
recover and treat seven wounded soldiers from his platoon. His valiant 
counterattack also allowed the platoon to successfully reposition 
itself and continue fighting. Mr. Gregg's bravery, quick thinking, and 
combat instincts helped save the lives of many fellow soldiers that day 
and earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor. He was also promoted 
to second lieutenant and awarded a Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman's 
Badge, Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Silver Star.
  Respected and admired by the community, Mr. Gregg was frequently 
asked to appear at presidential inaugurations, remembrance events, and 
on TV shows. For 25 years, he attended Hudson County's ceremonies to 
honor the fallen at Pearl Harbor. Known by his family and friends for 
his great humility, Mr. Gregg rarely spoke of his combat experiences at 
home and said a nightly prayer for his fallen comrades who did not 
survive the war.
  Raised in Bayonne, he attended the Bayonne Technical and Vocational 
High School and later spent time working at an art gallery in New York 
and the shipyards in Kearny, before serving in the Armed Forces. After 
being discharged from the Army, he worked as a deputy Hudson County 
court clerk and a county court attendant. He later became the Sheriff 
Department's chief court officer.
  Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Stephen R. Gregg, a 
man of exceptional character, whose dedicated service and humble nature 
won him the respect and love of all who knew him. Mr. Gregg was an 
important figure in the community's military history, and he will be 
greatly missed.

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