Medal of Honor Recipient: Lt. Jimmie Waters Monteith Jr. - Colleville-sur-Mer, France

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Lt. Jimmie Waters Monteith Jr.

Normandy American Cemetery

Colleville-sur-Mer, France

Topic: Medal of Honor Recipient

N 49° 21.638 W 000° 51.610

Quick Description: 

The grave of Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Jimmie Waters Monteith Jr. is located at the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, France. Plot: Section I, Row 20, Grave 12

Long Description:

Jimmie W. Monteith Jr. was born July 1, 1917 in Low Moor, Virginia. He attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute as a member of the class of 1941. He joined the Army in October 1941 and attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Upon receiving his commission he joined the 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. During World War II, he fought in North Africa, and Sicily. In November 1943, his unit was transferred to England to in preparation for the Normandy Invasion. He was killed in action near Colleville-sur-Mer, France on June 6, 1944.

His Medal of Honor citation reads:

"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 machine-gun 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 personal safety, repeatedly crossing the 200 or 300 yards of open 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 leadership displayed by 1st Lt. Monteith is worthy of emulation."

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:

JIMMIE W. MONTEITH JR.
1 LT 16 INF 1 DIV
VIRGINIA JUNE 6, 1944

MEDAL OF HONOR

Medal of Honor Recipient: T/Sgt Frank D. Peregory - Colleville-sur-Mer, France

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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

Medal of Honor Recipient: General Theodore "Ted" Roosevelt III - Colleville-sur-Mer, France

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Grave of General Theodore "Ted" Roosevelt III 

Normandy American Cemetery

Colleville-sur-Mer, France

Topic:  Medal of Honor Recipient

GPS: N49° 21.655; W0° 51.371

Short Description:

The grave of Medal of Honor recipient General Theodore "Ted" Roosevelt III is located at the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, France. Plot: Plot D, Row 28, Grave 45

Long Description:

Theodore "Ted" Roosevelt III (September 13, 1887 – July 12, 1944) was was the oldest son of President Theodore Roosevelt and Edith Roosevelt.  Ted attended the Groton School and graduated Harvard College in 1909.  He received the Distinguished Service Cross  for his actions during the World War I.  As a General in the U.S. Army during World War II, Roosevelt suffered from many health problems. Suffering from arthritis caused by old World War I injuries, he walked with a cane. He also had heart trouble. On 12 July 1944, one month after the landing at Utah Beach, he died suddenly of a heart attack in his tent in France, at fifty-six years of age.

Despite his age and injuries General Theodore "Ted" Roosevelt III insisted that he lead his troops onto the beaches of Normandy during the D-Day invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944.  for his heroic action on that day he was awarded the Medal of Honor.  He is buried at the Normandy American Cemetery in  Colleville-sur-Mer, France beside his brother Quentin Roosevelt who died in action during World War I.

His Medal of Honor citation reads:

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 led them against the enemy. Under his seasoned, precise, calm, and 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.

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:


THEODORE ROOSEVELT JR.
BRIGADIER GENERAL U.S. ARMY
NEW YORK JULY 12, 1944

MEDAL OF HONOR

Figurative Public Sculpture: The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves - Colleville-sur-Mer, France

Interesting Places I've Photographed

The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves

Normandy American Cemetery

Colleville-sur-Mer, France

Topic: Figurative Public Sculpture

The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves

The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves

Normandy American Cemetery

GPS: N 49° 21.556; W 000° 51.200

Quick Description: 

The monumental sculpture "The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves" is in the center of the Normandy Memorial at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France.

Long Description:

In 1951 Donald Harcourt De Lue received a commission to create seven works for a memorial to the fallen soldiers of D-Day located on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, the most famous of which is his celebrated sculpture The Spirit of American Youth Rising From the Waves which is the centerpiece of the Normandy Memorial and the Normandy American Cemetery.

A 22' high nude bronze figure of an American youth is shown with arms outstretched and looking towards the sky. His legs and feet are curved back together as his curved body appears rising from the waves below. The statue was cast in Milan, Italy by the Battaglia Foundry. Encircling the pedestal of the statue on the floor in bronze letters is the inscription:

MINE EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY OF THE COMING OF THE LORD.

Way of Saint James: Mont Saint-Michel - Normandy, France

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Mont Saint-Michel

Normandy, France

Topics: Way of Saint James

Mont Saint-Michel

N 48° 38.100 W 001° 30.670

Quick Description: 

The starting point on the Way of Saint James through Brittany is the Monastery at Mont Saint-Michel.

Long Description:

The tidal island of Mont Saint-Michel is one of the most iconic and visited places in France. It's narrow streets host over 3 million visitors a year. A 0.5 km causeway connects the island to the mainland. It can be reached by using a free shuttle bus which operated continuously during daylight hours. A bridge connecting the island to the mainland is under construction.

The 247 acre island rises 301 feet above the surrounding bay. It has been a strategic fortified outpost since ancient times. The 8th century Gothic-style Benedictine monastery dedicated to of Archangel Saint Michael occupies the upper reached of the island and can be reached by climbing approximately 300 steps. A small village is contained with the fortified walls at the base of the abbey.

In 933 William I, Duke of Normandy, annexed the Cotentin Peninsula, making the Mont part of Normandy. In 1067, the monastery of Mont-Saint-Michel supported William of Normandy's claim to the throne of England. As a result it was given properties and grounds on the English side of the Channel. During the Hundred Years' War, the fortified island successfully resisted repeated assaults English assaults on the island.

The symbol marking the way of Saint James can be found in the scallop designs appear throughout the Gothic windows in the Kings Chapel of the Benedictine Abbey atop Mont Saint-Michel.

Map of Way of Saint James Routes Through Brittany

Mont Saint-Michel and the surrounding area are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Way of Saint James: Chartres Cathedral - Chartres, France

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Chartres Cathedral on the Way of Saint James

Chartres, Eure-et-Loir, France

Topic: Way of Saint James

GPS: N48° 26.834; E001° 29.224

Quick Description: 

Chartres Cathedral in Chartres, France is a major pilgrimage location on The Way of Saint James.

Long Description:

A route of the Way of Saint James originates in Paris and proceeds southwest to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres, a medieval Roman Catholic cathedral located about 80 kilometers from of Paris. The magnificent Cathedral was constructed between 1194 and 1250.

Several route markers lead pilgrims to and from the Cathedral on their way from France to Spain. The best of these markers is located on the sidewalk across the street from the main entrance to the Cathedral. It contains three elements:

1. A square black and yellow mosaic depicts a pilgrim walking with a staff walking in parallel to the Cathedral.

2. A blue and white scallop symbol identified the Way of Saint James.

3. Below, the legend provides the remaining distance:

1625 Km
CHEMIN SAINT-JACQUES DE COMPOSTELLE

Way of Saint James: Eglise et Hospital de Saint Jacques Du Haut Pas - Paris, France

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Eglise et Hospital de Saint Jacques Du Haut Pas

Paris, France

Topic: Way of Saint James (Origin in Paris)

GPS: N48° 50.608; E002° 20.495

Quick Description: 

The Eglise et Hospital de Saint Jacques Du Haut Pas is located at 252 Rue Saint-Jacques in the 5th Arrondissement of Paris France.

Long Description:

One route of the Way of Saint James originates in Paris at the Eglise et Hospital de Saint Jacques Du Haut Pas and proceeds southwest to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. An early version of the church was built in 1564 and dedicated to Saint James the Minor. Reconstruction and additions continued until 1675 when architect David Gittard formulated the final plan. By May 6, 1684 the main work on the church was complete.

A sign about 7' up from the ground on northwest side of the north tower of the church contains the Way of Saint James marker. A matching stone plaque is has line images of two hiking pilgrims on either side of a scallop and is inscribed in French:

CHEMIN DE SAINT JACQUES
DE COMPOSTELLE
EGLISE ET HOSPITAL DE
SAINT JACQUES DU HAUT PAS English:
WAY OF SAINT JAMES
DE COMPOSTELLE
CHURCH AND HOPSITAL OF
SAINT JAMES THE MINOR.
Scalloped shaped holy water fonts are found inside the church.

Philatelic Photograph: Statue of Liberty Replica, Las Vegas, NV

Statue of Liberty Replica
 On U.S. Postage Stamp

Las Vegas, NV

GPS: N36° 06.074; W115° 10.399

Quick Description: 

Oops! Wrong Statue of Liberty on recent US stamp.

Long Description:

This forever stamp, issued on December 1, 2010  depicting the Statue of Liberty, actually contains the  image of the replica Statue of Liberty located outside the New York, New York Casino in Las Vegas, NV.  The United States Postal Service admitted this mistake but did not take any further action concerning this stamp.