Technical Sergeant Frank D. Peregory

Born at Esmont on 10 April 1915, Frank D. Peregory enlisted in May 1931 in Charlottesville's Co. K (Monticello Guard), 116th Inf. Regt., 29th Inf. Div. On D-Day, 6 June 1944, T. Sgt. Peregory landed in the assault on Omaha Beach, Normandy, France. At Grandcamp, on 8 June, he single-handedly charged an enemy stronghold with grenades and bayonet, killing 8 soldiers and capturing 35. Six days later he was killed in action near Couvains. For his valor T. Sgt. Peregory was awarded the Medal of Honor. He was the sole Virginian in the 29th Division to be awarded the medal, which was given to only 14 of the 300,000 Virginians who served in the war. Peregory is buried at the American Cemetery in St. Laurent, Normandy, France.