Medal of Honor: Jack C. Montgomery – U.S. Army – World War II

Name: Jack C. Montgomery
Rank: First Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: 45th Infantry Division
Place: Near Padiglione, Italy
Entered Service At: Sallisaw, Oklahoma
Born: Long, Oklahoma

Summary of Action

Two hours before daybreak, a strong enemy force established three defensive echelons only 50, 100, and 300 yards in front of 1st Lt. Jack C. Montgomery’s platoon. The nearest position—armed with four machineguns and a mortar—posed an immediate and grave threat.

Without waiting for orders, Montgomery seized an M1 rifle and several grenades and crawled up a ditch to within striking distance. Rising boldly onto a small mound, he fired and hurled grenades with deadly precision, killing eight enemy soldiers and capturing four more.

Returning to his platoon, he called for artillery fire on a nearby house where the main enemy force appeared entrenched. Armed now with a carbine, he advanced again under withering fire from the second enemy position. Attacking with fierce determination, he forced seven Germans to surrender and silenced both machineguns.

With daylight breaking and enemy observation clear across the open terrain, Montgomery pressed on alone toward the third strongpoint. When the artillery barrage lifted, he ran fearlessly across the exposed ground. As German troops fled the house, he exposed himself openly to gather the surrendering enemy and send them to the rear, undeterred by the threat of snipers.

By his single-handed assaults that morning, he accounted for eleven enemy dead, thirty-two prisoners, and numerous wounded. That night, while aiding an adjacent unit in repelling a counterattack, he was seriously wounded by mortar fragments.

His fearless aggression and unshakable resolve inspired his men beyond measure.

Medal of Honor Citation

MONTGOMERY, JACK C.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 22 February 1944, near Padiglione, Italy. Two hours before daybreak a strong force of enemy infantry established themselves in 3 echelons at 50 yards, 100 yards, and 300 yards, respectively, in front of the rifle platoons commanded by 1st Lt. Montgomery. The closest position, consisting of 4 machineguns and 1 mortar, threatened the immediate security of the platoon position. Seizing an M1 rifle and several hand grenades, 1st Lt. Montgomery crawled up a ditch to within hand grenade range of the enemy. Then climbing boldly onto a little mound, he fired his rifle and threw his grenades so accurately that he killed 8 of the enemy and captured the remaining 4. Returning to his platoon, he called for artillery fire on a house, in and around which he suspected that the majority of the enemy had entrenched themselves. Arming himself with a carbine, he proceeded along the shallow ditch, as withering fire from the riflemen and machinegunners in the second position was concentrated on him. He attacked this position with such fury that 7 of the enemy surrendered to him, and both machineguns were silenced. Three German dead were found in the vicinity later that morning. 1st Lt. Montgomery continued boldly toward the house, 300 yards from his platoon position. It was now daylight, and the enemy observation was excellent across the flat open terrain which led to 1st Lt. Montgomery’s objective. When the artillery barrage had lifted, 1st Lt. Montgomery ran fearlessly toward the strongly defended position. As the enemy started streaming out of the house, 1st Lt. Montgomery, unafraid of treacherous snipers, exposed himself daringly to assemble the surrendering enemy and send them to the rear. His fearless, aggressive, and intrepid actions that morning, accounted for a total of 11 enemy dead, 32 prisoners, and an unknown number of wounded. That night, while aiding an adjacent unit to repulse a counterattack, he was struck by mortar fragments and seriously wounded. The selflessness and courage exhibited by 1st Lt. Montgomery in alone attacking 3 strong enemy positions inspired his men to a degree beyond estimation.