D-Day Operations The battle in Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944 is one of the most famous moments in American military history — and it produced countless stories of heroism and sacrifice from those who took part in the amphibious and airborne assaults that day.
Here are four Americans who will be awarded the Medal of Honor for their contributions. Actions on D-Day,
Private Carlton Barrett
Barrett, who landed on Ohama Beach on June 6, 1944 “in the face of extremely heavy enemy fire,” saved American lives by carrying wounded soldiers to an evacuation boat off the shore, his Medal of Honor citation states.
It states, “Disregarding personal danger, he repeatedly returned to the sea to aid his comrades and save them from drowning.” “Refusing to be surrounded by an intense barrage of small arms and mortar fire at the landing point, Private Barrett, acting with determination, saved many lives by evacuating casualties to an evacuation boat lying off the shore.”
Private Carlton Barrett of New York was a member of the 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. (Congressional Medal of Honor Society)
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The citation further states, “In addition to his assigned mission as a guide, he carried messages the length of the fire-swept beach; he assisted the wounded; he calmed shocked men; he emerged as a leader in a tense situation.” “His composure and his dauntless courage while continually risking his life for several hours made an invaluable impression on his comrades and are in keeping with the highest traditions of warfare. us Army.,
Technician Fifth Class John Pinder
According to his Medal of Honor citation, Pinder, who landed on Omaha Beach on his 32nd birthday, despite being wounded several times by enemy fire, bravely waded ashore and delivered a “vitally important radio.”
Technician Fifth Class John Pinder, left, and Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (Congressional Medal of Honor Society)
“He was only a few yards from his boat when he was hit twice by enemy fire, one of which struck the left side of his face. Witnesses reported that Pinder continued to advance, holding the equipment in one hand and the flesh of his face with the other.” Department of Defense They say.
After delivering the radio, Pinder “was severely weakened by blood loss and intense pain, yet dove into the fire-swept sea three times to rescue the communications equipment,” his citation also states, adding that he ultimately died after being attacked the third time.
Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt Jr.
Roosevelt, the eldest son of former President Theodore Roosevelt, had repeatedly petitioned to be among the first American troops to land at Normandy.
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His request was eventually granted, and after landing on Utah Beach, the 56-year-old soldier’s “gallantry, courage, his presence at the forefront of the attack and his utter nonchalance despite heavy fire inspired the troops to heights of enthusiasm and self-sacrifice,” his Medal of Honor citation states.
It further states, “Although the enemy kept up constant direct fire on the beach, Brigadier General Roosevelt moved from area to area, gathering men around him, directing them and personally leading them against the enemy.” “Under his experienced, precise, cool and unflinching leadership, the assaulting troops reduced the beach strong points and moved rapidly inland with minimal casualties.”
1st Lt. Jimmy Monteith Jr.
Monteith, who landed at Omaha Beach, was also praised for disregarding his personal safety to pursue the attack.
Jimmy Monteith Jr. is remembered for the “courage, valor and fearless leadership” he displayed on D-Day, his Medal of Honor citation says. (Congressional Medal of Honor Society)
His Medal of Honor citation states that, at one point, Monteith “drifted to where two tanks were locked and was blindly exposed to the enemy’s violent artillery and machine-gun fire.”
“In the face of intense fire, 1st Lt. Monteith led the tanks on foot through minefields to their firing positions,” it added. “Under his direction, several enemy positions were destroyed. He then returned to his company and, under his leadership, his men seized an advantageous position on the hill.”
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It also states, “When the enemy succeeded in completely surrounding 1st Lt. Monteith and his unit and they were leading a fighting effort to break out of the position, 1st Lt. Monteith was killed by enemy fire.”
