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World War II - U.S. Army

Francis Sherman "frank" Currey

Details
  • Rank: Private First Class (Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant)
  • Conflict/Era: World War II
  • Unit/Command:
    3d Platoon, Company K, 3d Battalion, 120th Infantry,
    30th Infantry Division
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: December 21, 1944
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: Malmedy, Belgium
Citation

He was an automatic rifleman with the 3d Platoon defending a strongpoint near Malmedy, Belgium, on 21 December 1944, when the enemy launched a powerful attack. Overrunning tank destroyers and antitank guns located near the strongpoint, German tanks advanced to the 3d Platoon's position, and, after prolonged fighting, forced the withdrawal of this group to a nearby factory. Sgt. Currey found a bazooka in the building and crossed the street to secure rockets, meanwhile enduring intense fire from enemy tanks and hostile infantrymen who had taken up a position at a house a short distance away. In the face of small-arms, machine-gun, and artillery fire, he, with a companion, knocked out a tank with one shot. Moving to another position, he observed three Germans in the doorway of an enemy-held house. He killed or wounded all three with his automatic rifle. He emerged from cover and advanced alone to within 50 yards of the house, intent on wrecking it with rockets. Covered by friendly fire, he stood erect and fired a shot which knocked down half of one wall. While in this forward position, he observed five Americans who had been pinned down for hours by fire from the house and three tanks. Realizing that they could not escape until the enemy tank and infantry guns had been silenced, Sgt. Currey crossed the street to a vehicle, where he procured an armful of antitank grenades. These he launched while under heavy enemy fire, driving tankmen from the vehicles into the house. He then climbed onto a half-track in full view of the Germans and fired a machine gun at the house. Once again changing his position, he manned another machine gun whose crew had been killed; under covering fire the five soldiers were able to retire to safety. Deprived of tanks and with heavy infantry casualties, the enemy was forced to withdraw. Through his extensive knowledge of weapons and by his heroic and repeated braving of murderous heavy fire, Sgt. Currey was greatly responsible for inflicting heavy losses in men and material on the enemy, for rescuing five comrades, two of whom were wounded, and for stemming an attack which threatened to flank his battalion's position.

USED WITH PERMISSION, COPYRIGHT NICK DELCALZO
USED WITH PERMISSION, COPYRIGHT NICK DELCALZO
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: Hurleyville, Sullivan County, New York
  • Awarded Posthumously: No
  • Presentation Date & Details: July 27, 1945

    Reims France, presented by Maj. Gen. Leland S. Hobbs

  • Born: June 29, 1925, Loch Sheldrake, Sullivan County, NY, United States
  • Died: October 8, 2019, Selkirk, NY, United States
  • Buried: Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, South Bethlehem, NY, United States
 
Videos

Francis Currey: World War II Medal of Honor Recipient

Francis Currey: World War II Medal of Honor Recipient

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Francis S. Currey Medal of Honor Presentation for World War II Valor

Francis S. Currey Medal of Honor Presentation for World War II Valor

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