OPINION:
Twenty-five college students will travel to France next week to honor the patriots buried at the Normandy American Cemetery.
They were selected as outstanding leaders for freedom by Young America’s Foundation. They will walk the hallowed grounds to remember the ultimate sacrifice made by the 9,386 American service members buried in the cemetery.
Near the entrance, they will pass a bronze statue known as “The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves.” It was created by sculptor Donald De Lue and overlooks Omaha Beach. It symbolizes the thousands of young soldiers who gave their lives during World War II.
Throughout our history, there have been young men and women willing to risk their lives for the freedoms we hold dear today. Two of them, Medal of Honor recipients, are buried at the Normandy American Cemetery.
Technical Sgt. Frank D. Peregory was born on April 10, 1916, in Esmont, Virginia. He grew up in a large and poor family. He lied about his age to join the Virginia Army National Guard in 1931 when he was only 15 years old. His unit was activated after the U.S. entered World War II in December 1941.
His Medal of Honor citation reads: “On 8 June 1944, the 3rd Battalion of the 116th Infantry was advancing on the strongly held German defenses at Grandcampe, France, when the leading elements were suddenly halted by decimating machine-gun fire from a firmly entrenched enemy force on the high ground overlooking the town. After numerous attempts to neutralize the enemy position by supporting artillery and tank fire had proved ineffective, T/Sgt. Peregory, on his own initiative, advanced up the hill under withering fire and worked his way to the crest, where he discovered an entrenchment leading to the main fortifications 200 yards away. Without hesitating, he leaped into the trench and moved toward the emplacement.
“Encountering a squad of enemy riflemen, he fearlessly attacked them with hand grenades and bayonet, killed eight, and forced three to surrender. Continuing along the trench, he singlehandedly forced the surrender of 32 more riflemen, captured the machine gunners, and opened the way for the leading elements of the battalion to advance and secure its objective. The extraordinary gallantry and aggressiveness displayed by T/Sgt. Peregory are exemplary of the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.”
The Medal of Honor was presented posthumously to Peregory because on June 14, 1944, he was killed in action. Today, he rests with his fellow service members overlooking the beach.
First Lieutenant Jimmie W. Monteith Jr. was born on July 1, 1917, in Low Moor, Virginia, and grew up in Richmond, Virginia. He was less than a month away from his 27th birthday when he was killed on D-Day.
His Medal of Honor Citation reads: “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on 6 June 1944, near Colleville-sur-Mer, France. First Lt. 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 machine-gun fire. Completely exposed to the intense fire, 1st Lt. 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 1st Lt. Monteith and his unit and while leading the fight out of the situation, 1st Lt. Monteith was killed by enemy fire. The courage, gallantry, and intrepid leadership displayed by 1st Lt. Monteith is worthy of emulation.”
These two heroes were part of the six American, British and Canadian divisions that landed on Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword beaches as part of the greatest amphibious assault in the history of the world.
Landing before dawn on June 6, 1944, this massive Allied assault on the Normandy coastline was critical in the liberation of France from Nazi Germany.
Cemeteries like the one at Normandy are filled with young men — and a few women — who died for our nation. Let us live a life worthy of their sacrifice.
• Scott Walker is a columnist for The Washington Times. He was the 45th governor of Wisconsin and launched a bid for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. He lives in Milwaukee and is the proud owner of a 2003 Harley-Davidson Road King. He can be reached at swalker@washingtontimes.com.
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