Interesting Places I've Photographed
Grave of T/Sgt Frank D. Peregory
Normandy American Cemetery
Colleville-sur-Mer,
France
Topic: Medal of Honor Recipient
GPS: N 49° 21.625; W 000° 51.538
Quick Description:
The grave of T/Sgt
Frank D. Peregory is located in the Normandy American Cemetery in
Colleville-sur-Mer, France. Plot: Section G, Row 21, Grave 7
Long Description:
Frank D. Peregory was born on Apr. 10, 1915 in Esmont, VA. In 1931, at the
age of 15, he falsified his age and joined the Virginia Army National Guard.
After the United States' entry into World War II his unit was activated. He was
assigned to Company K, 116th Infantry, 29th Infantry Division. His unit
participated in the D-Day invasion of Normandy. For his actions during the
invasion of Normandy he was awarded the Medal of Honor. He was killed in action
on June 14, 1944.
His citation reads:
"On 8 June 1944, the 3rd 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 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".
In recognition of his status of a Medal of Honor recipient, his grave marker in the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France is a marble cross inscribed in gold lettering. The upper part of the cross contains an image of the Medal of Honor. Inscribe below is:
FRANK D. PEREGORY
T SGT 116 INF 29 DIV
VIRGINIA JUNE 14, 1944
MEDAL OF HONOR
His citation reads:
"On 8 June 1944, the 3rd 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 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".
In recognition of his status of a Medal of Honor recipient, his grave marker in the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France is a marble cross inscribed in gold lettering. The upper part of the cross contains an image of the Medal of Honor. Inscribe below is:
T SGT 116 INF 29 DIV
VIRGINIA JUNE 14, 1944
MEDAL OF HONOR
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