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~SOLD~GREGG, STEPHEN R
GREGG, STEPHEN R.
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
Stephen R. Gregg, 90; Awarded Medal of Honor in World War II for Helping to Rescue 7 Soldiers
Obituaries February 11, 2005|From Times Staff and Wire Reports
Stephen R. Gregg, a U.S. Army technical sergeant who was awarded the Medal of Honor for helping rescue seven comrades wounded during fighting in France in World War II, has died. He was 90.
Gregg died Feb. 4 at his home in Bayonne, N.J.
A native of New York City, Gregg grew up in Bayonne and worked as a welder in a shipyard before the war.
He was drafted into the Army in 1942 as a private with the Weapons Platoon, Company L, 143rd Infantry Regiment of the 36th Division. He served in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany and was eventually promoted to second lieutenant.
He also was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star with cluster, Purple Heart with cluster, French Croix de Guerre with Silver Star and the Combat Infantry Badge. On Bastille Day in 2001, France honored him with its highest medal, the Legion of Honor.
After the war, he returned to a hero's welcome in Bayonne. He worked for the Hudson County Sheriff's Office for more than 50 years, retiring as chief of court officials.
In 1994, Hudson County renamed a park in his honor.
He is survived by a son, Stephen Jr.; a daughter, Susan; and two grandchildren.
Signed personal CMOH card
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