Sergeant Earl D. Gregory, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on October 8, 1918 in Bois-de-Consenvoye, France during World War I. At the time he was serving with Headquarters Company, 116th Infantry, 29th Division. Gregory was 20 years old.
12 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
Gregory was born on October 18, 1897 in Chase City, Mecklenburg County, Virginia. Gregory died on January 6, 1972 in Birmingham, Alabama, at the age of 74. He is buried at Tuscaloosa Memorial Park in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. His medal is held by Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg, VA.
Gregory is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 48 credited to Virginia.
Official Medal of Honor citation
With the remark "I will get them," Sgt. Gregory seized a rifle and a trench mortar shell, which he used as a hand grenade, left his detachment of the trench-mortar platoon, and advancing ahead of the infantry, captured a machine gun and three of the enemy. Advancing still farther from the machine-gun nest, he captured a 7.5 centimeter mountain howitzer and, entering a dugout in the immediate vicinity, singlehandedly captured 19 of the enemy.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- October 18, 1897Born in Chase City, Mecklenburg County, Virginia
- October 8, 1918Act of valor — Bois-de-Consenvoye, FranceAge 20. Headquarters Company, 116th Infantry, 29th Division
- January 6, 1972Died in Birmingham, AlabamaAge 74.
- Resting placeTuscaloosa Memorial ParkTuscaloosa, Alabama
