Medal of Honor: John J. McVeigh World War II, 29 August 1944 — Brest, France
A Knife Against the Counterattack In the dark hedgerows of France, one man’s defiance turned the tide of battle. Armed with only a trench knife, Sergeant McVeigh charged the enemy head-on, sacrificing his life so his squad could hold the line.
August 30, 2025
John J. McVeigh
World War II
29 August 1944 — Brest, France
Summary of Action
On the night of August 29, 1944, near Brest, France, Sergeant John J. McVeigh of Company H, 23rd Infantry, 2nd Infantry Division, stood firm as German forces launched a sudden counterattack. His squad of heavy machine gunners, left dangerously exposed without rifle support, faced a wave of enemy riflemen advancing with deadly speed. Refusing cover, McVeigh stood tall in full view of the enemy, directing fire until his position was nearly overrun. Then, drawing only his trench knife, he single-handedly attacked several enemy soldiers in brutal close combat. Mortally struck down while advancing against three more Germans, his fearless action gave his men the time to unleash concentrated fire that broke the assault and preserved the American position.
Medal of Honor Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty near Brest, France, on 29 August 1944. Shortly after dusk an enemy counterattack of platoon strength was launched against 1 platoon of Company G, 23d Infantry. Since the Company G platoon was not dug in and had just begun to assume defensive positions along a hedge, part of the line sagged momentarily under heavy fire from small arms and 2 flak guns, leaving a section of heavy machineguns holding a wide frontage without rifle protection. The enemy drive moved so swiftly that German riflemen were soon almost on top of 1 machinegun position. Sgt. McVeigh, heedless of a tremendous amount of small arms and flak fire directed toward him, stood up in full view of the enemy and directed the fire of his squad on the attacking Germans until his position was almost overrun. He then drew his trench knife and single-handedly charged several of the enemy. In a savage hand-to-hand struggle, Sgt. McVeigh killed 1 German with the knife, his only weapon, and was advancing on 3 more of the enemy when he was shot down and killed with small arms fire at pointblank range. Sgt. McVeigh’s heroic act allowed the 2 remaining men in his squad to concentrate their machinegun fire on the attacking enemy and then turn their weapons on the 3 Germans in the road, killing all 3. Fire from this machinegun and the other gun of the section was almost entirely responsible for stopping this enemy assault, and allowed the rifle platoon to which it was attached time to reorganize, assume positions on and hold the high ground gained during the day.
