|
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 143d Infantry,
36th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Montelimar, France, 27 August
1944. Entered service at: Bayonne, N.J. Birth: New York, N.Y. G.O. No.:
31, 17 April 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 27 August 1944, in
the vicinity of Montelimar, France. As his platoon advanced upon the enemy
positions; the leading scout was fired upon and 2d Lt. Gregg (then a Tech.
Sgt.) immediately put his machineguns into action to cover the advance
of the riflemen. The Germans, who were at close range, threw hand grenades
at the riflemen, killing some and wounding 7. Each time a medical aid man
attempted to reach the wounded, the Germans fired at him. Realizing the
seriousness of the situation, 2d Lt. Gregg took 1 of the light .30-caliber
machineguns, and firing from the hip, started boldly up the hill with the
medical aid man following him. Although the enemy was throwing hand grenades
at him, 2d Lt. Gregg remained and fired into the enemy positions while
the medical aid man removed the 7 wounded men to safety. When 2d Lt. Gregg
had expended all his ammunition, he was covered by 4 Germans who ordered
him to surrender. Since the attention of most of the Germans had been diverted
by watching this action, friendly riflemen were able to maneuver into firing
positions. One, seeing 2d Lt. Gregg's situation, opened fire on his captors.
The 4 Germans hit the ground and thereupon 2d Lt. Gregg recovered a machine
pistol from one of the Germans and managed to escape to his other machinegun
positions. He manned a gun, firing at his captors, killed 1 of them and
wounded the other. This action so discouraged the Germans that the platoon
was able to continue its advance up the hill to achieve its objective.
The following morning, just prior to daybreak, the Germans launched a strong
attack, supported by tanks, in an attempt to drive Company L from the hill.
As these tanks moved along the valley and their foot troops advanced up
the hill, 2d Lt. Gregg immediately ordered his mortars into action. During
the day by careful observation, he was able to direct effective fire on
the enemy, inflicting heavy casualties. By late afternoon he had directed
600 rounds when his communication to the mortars was knocked out. Without
hesitation he started checking his wires, although the area was under heavy
enemy small arms and artillery fire. When he was within 100 yards of his
mortar position, 1 of his men informed him that the section had been captured
and the Germans were using the mortars to fire on the company. 2d Lt. Gregg
with this man and another nearby rifleman started for the gun position
where he could see 5 Germans firing his mortars. He ordered the 2 men to
cover him, crawled up, threw a hand grenade into the position, and then
charged it. The hand grenade killed 1, injured 2, 2d Lt. Gregg took the
other 2 prisoners, and put his mortars back into action.
This data was extracted from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1973 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1973)
| | |