This
auction is for the following Francis Currey (Deceased) WWII Medal of Honor
Recipient SIGNED RARE MOH CARD that was been mated with an unsigned 8x10
photograph the black mat measures 11x14 inches.
BIO: Francis Currey (Deceased) WWII Medal of Honor Recipient (the highest military decoration) for his actions during the Battle of the Bulge, Silver Star Recipient (3rd highest military decoration), 3 Purple Hearts, Bronze Star.
Any
interesting side note Francis Currey is one of only a handful of people that “G.I.
Joe” made a Medal of Honor 12" Action Figure of in 1998.
If you are not familiar with Francis Currey’s actions that he received the Medal of Honor for please read his Medal of Honor Citation:
The
President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes
pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Francis Sherman
"Frank" Currey, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty. Private Currey was an
automatic rifleman with the 3d Platoon, Company K, 3d Battalion, 120th
Infantry, 30th Infantry Division, defending a strong point near Malmedy,
Belgium, on 21 December 1944, when the enemy launched a powerful attack.
Overrunning tank destroyers and antitank guns located near the strong point,
German tanks advanced to the 3d Platoon's position, and, after prolonged
fighting, forced the withdrawal of this group to a nearby factory. Sergeant
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, machinegun, 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, Sergeant
Currey crossed the street to a vehicle, where he procured an armful of antitank
grenades. These he launched while under heavy enemy fire, driving the tankmen
from the vehicles into the house. He then climbed onto a half-track in full
view of the Germans and fired a machinegun at the house. Once again changing
his position, he manned another machinegun whose crew had been killed; under
his 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 enemy fire, Sergeant 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.
WWII
Service:
Mr.
Currey landed at Omaha Beach in July 1944 a few weeks after D-Day. On 18
October he was assigned as a replacement without winter gear (he later suffered
from frostbite) to 3rd Platoon, K Company, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th
Infantry Division, at Herzogenrath, Germany. He saw his first combat action
that month. Six weeks later, he was a sergeant and 3rd Platoon Leader in K
Company. On December 21, 1944, Private First Class Currey was an automatic
rifleman in a rifle squad which was guarding a bridge crossing and strongpoint.
He repeatedly exposed himself to hostile fire while firing upon and killing
several German infantrymen during an early morning German tank advance in
Malmedy, Belgium. During the attack, he used a bazooka and anti-tank grenades
which caused four enemy tank crews to abandon their tanks and also enabled him
to rescue five comrades who had been pinned down in a building by enemy fire. After
the Battle of the Bulge, he became a squad leader, and was awarded the Silver
Star for gallantry in action at his regiment's command post. In March 1945,
Currey's company commander recommended him for the Medal of Honor for his
actions on December 21. The Medal of Honor was presented to Currey on July 27,
1945, by the 30th Infantry Division division commander, Major General Leland
Hobbs, near Reims, France; the medal was officially awarded to him on August
17, 1945. After the war was over in Europe, he received his third Purple Heart
for being shot in Bavaria while disarming German soldiers. He returned to the
United States in August as a first sergeant after occupational duty and a stop
in England aboard the Queen Mary.
THIS
IS AN AUTHENTIC HAND AUTOGRAPHED CUT that was been mated with an unsigned in
uniform 8x10 inch photograph perfect for framing. The black mat measures 11x14
inches. This is one of the last remaining autographs that I have available of
him. I am close to being permanently sold out do not miss out on your chance to
add this remarkable collectable to your collection. PLEASE NOTE this photograph
was printed posted war. I ONLY SELL AUTHENTIC HAND AUTOGRAPHED MEMORABILIA. I
do not sell reprints or facsimile autographs. When you bid on my items you get
the real deal authentic hand autographed items. You will receive the same item
that is pictured in the scan. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me.
I combine S&H when multiple items are purchased. I ship items
internationally the price for international S&H varies by country. I
currently have other rare autographed military and historical signed items
available. Please take a look at my other auctions of rare military and
historical autographed items.