6 June 2021 Garand Picture of the Day

[Mark in Rochester]

1LT Jimmie W. Monteith Jr.

Landed at Omaha Beach

Medal of Honor Action: June 6, 1944



For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on 6 June 1944, while serving with 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action near Colleville-sur-Mer, France. First Lieutenant Monteith landed with the initial assault waves on the coast of France under heavy enemy fire. Without regard to his own personal safety he continually moved up and down the beach reorganizing men for further assault. He then led the assault over a narrow protective ledge and across the flat, exposed terrain to the comparative safety of a cliff. Retracing his steps across the field to the beach, he moved over to where two tanks were buttoned up and blind under violent enemy artillery and machinegun fire. Completely exposed to the intense fire, First Lieutenant Monteith led the tanks on foot through a minefield and into firing positions. Under his direction several enemy positions were destroyed. He then rejoined his company and under his leadership his men captured an advantageous position on the hill. Supervising the defense of his newly won position against repeated vicious counterattacks, he continued to ignore his own personal safety, repeatedly crossing the 200 or 300 yards of open terrain under heavy fire to strengthen links in his defensive chain. When the enemy succeeded in completely surrounding First Lieutenant Monteith and his unit and while leading the fight out of the situation, First Lieutenant Monteith was killed by enemy fire. The courage, gallantry, and intrepid leadership displayed by First Lieutenant Monteith is worthy of emulation.

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[CINDERS]

I've often wondered on that day just how many others may have been entitled to the MOH and yet no witnesses survived so they could receive it as there would have been heroic deeds all along those beaches including the other participants entitled to the VC.
It brings to memory the charge at the Nek I know different war different tactics but both were against withering fire the earlier one at about 2 tennis courts range against entrenched M.G's, whilst the latter across miles of beaches against just about every conceivable thing to kill a person.