Technical Sergeant Frank D. Peregory was a soldier in the U.S. Army who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on June 8, 1944 in Grandcampe, France during World War II. At the time he was serving with Company K, 3d Battalion, 116th Infantry, 29th Infantry Division. Peregory was 29 years old.
The medal was presented on June 1945 — presented to his widow, Bessie Kirby Peregory, by Brig. Gen. E. R. Warner Cable, at the Charlottesville, VA, Armory.
Peregory was born on April 10, 1915 in Esmont, Albemarle County, Virginia. His Medal of Honor is credited to Charlottesville, Charlottesville County, Virginia. Peregory died on June 14, 1944 in France, at the age of 29. He is buried at A.B.M.C. Normandy Cemetery in St Laurent-Sur-Mer, France. His medal is held by A.B.M.C. Normandy Cemetery, Normandy, France.
Peregory is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 48 credited to Virginia.
Official Medal of Honor citation
On 8 June 1944, the 3d 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 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 eight, and forced three to surrender. Continuing along the trench, he singlehandedly 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 traditions of the Armed Forces.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Frank D. Peregory received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Virginia →
Timeline
- April 10, 1915Born in Esmont, Albemarle County, Virginia
- June 8, 1944Act of valor — Grandcampe, FranceAge 29. Company K, 3d Battalion, 116th Infantry, 29th Infantry Division
- June 14, 1944Died in FranceAge 29.
- June 1945Medal of Honor presented posthumouslyPresented to his widow, Bessie Kirby Peregory, by Brig. Gen. E. R. Warner Cable, at the Charlottesville, VA, Armory
- Resting placeA.B.M.C. Normandy CemeterySt Laurent-Sur-Mer
Biography
Frank Dabney Peregory (April 10, 1916 - June 14, 1944) was a United States Army technical sergeant who posthumously received the United States military's highest decoration for bravery in combat, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during World War II. In a previous incident, he also received the Soldier's Medal for rescuing another soldier from drowning. Peregory grew up in a large family in Virginia. Although he was only 15 years old, in 1931, he lied about his age in order to join the Virginia Army National Guard. When the United States entered World War II in December 1941 his unit was activated.
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