Private Carlton W. Barrett. 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 6th June 1944, in the vicinity of St. Laurent-sur-Mere, France. On the morning of D-Day Private Barrett, landing in the face of extremely heavy enemy fire, was forced to wade ashore through neck-deep water. Disregarding the personal danger, he returned to the surf again and again to assist his floundering comrades and save them from drowning. Refusing to remain pinned down by the intense barrage of small-arms and mortar fire poured at the landing points, Private Barrett, working with fierce determination, saved many lives by carrying casualties to an evacuation boat lying offshore. In addition to his assigned mission as guide, he carried dispatches the length of the fire-swept beach; he assisted the wounded; he calmed the shocked; he rose as a leader in the stress of the occasion. His coolness and his dauntless, daring courage while constantly risking his life during a period of many hours had an inestimable effect on his comrades and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Army of the United States.
1st Lieutenant Jimmie W. Monteith, Jr. 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on 6th June 1944, near Colleville-sur-Mere, France. 1st Lieutenant Monteith landed with the initial assault waves on the coast of France under heavy enemy fire. Without regard to his own safety, he continually moved up and down the beach reorganising men for further assault. He then led the assault over a narrow protective edge 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 machine gun fire. Completely exposed to the intense fire, 1st 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 capture an advantageous position on the hill. Supervising the defence of his newly won position against vicious repeated counter-attacks, he continued to ignore his own personal safety, repeatedly crossing the two or three hundred yards of open terrain under heavy fire to strengthen the links in his defensive chain. When the enemy succeeded in completely surrounding 1st Lieutenant Monteith and his unit, and while leading the fight out of the situation, 1st Lieutenant Monteith was killed by enemy fire. The courage, gallantry, and intrepid leadership displayed by 1st Lieutenant Monteith is worthy of emulation.
Technician 5th Grade John J. Pinder, Jr. 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on 6th June 1944, near Colleville-sur-Mere, France. On D-Day, Technician 5th Grade Pinder landed on the coast 100 yards off-shore under devastating enemy machine gun and artillery fire which caused severe casualties amongst the boatload. Carrying a vitally important radio, he struggled towards shore in waist deep water. Only a few yards from his craft, he was hit by enemy fire and was gravely wounded. Technician 5th Grade Pinder never stopped. He made shore and delivered the radio. Refusing to take cover afforded, or to accept medical attention for his wounds, Technician 5th Grade Pinder, though terribly weakened by loss of blood and in fierce pain, on three occasions went into the fire swept surf to salvage communication equipment, including another workable radio. On the third trip he was again hit, suffering machine gun bullets to the legs. Still this valiant soldier would not stop for rest or medical attention. Remaining exposed to heavy enemy fire, growing steadily weaker, he aided in establishing the vital radio communication on the beach. While so engaged, this dauntless soldier was hit for the third time and killed. This indomitable courage and personal bravery of Technician 5th Grade Pinder was a magnificent inspiration to the men with whom he served.
Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. 4th Division. For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 6th June 1944 in France. After two verbal requests to accompany the leading assault elements in the Normandy invasion had been denied, Brigadier General Roosevelt’s written request for this mission was approved and he landed with the first wave of the forces assaulting the enemy-held beaches. He repeatedly led groups from the beach, over the sea-wall and established them inland. His valor, courage and his presence in the very front of the attack and his complete unconcern at being under heavy fire inspired the troops to heights of enthusiasm and self sacrifice. Although the enemy had the beach under constant direct fire, Brigadier General Roosevelt moved from one locality to another, rallying men around him, directed and personally led them against the enemy. Under his seasoned, precise, calm and unfaltering leadership, assault troops reduced beach strong points and rapidly moved inland with minimum casualties. He thus contributed substantially to the successful establishment of the beach-head in France.
I usually look dubiously at general officers who are awarded the Medal of Honor (e.g. Douglas MacArthur), but I am of the opinion that Gen Roosevelt's actions that day are worthy of the accolade. I used to work with a surgeon who was on that beach June 6th (as a shore engineer, Sapper you can appreciate what he did) and he concurred that Gen Roosevelt earned the Medal of Honor that day. He saw Roosevelt in action, parading around as though he were invulnerable to bullets and bombs, leading and encouraging the men.
