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by
armyrotc.vt.edu
The Medal of Honor was first awarded
during the Civil War. Of the millions of Americans who have served in
our nations armed forces only 3,408 have received America's highest
award for valor. Among those few are seven alumni of Virginia Tech.
Virginia Tech has more honorees than any other institution of higher
learning with the exception of West Point and Annapolis. The Corps of
Cadets at Texas A&M also has 7 Medal of Honor recipients. This is
particularly significant when considering that just over half of the
nation's medals were awarded prior to Virginia Tech's founding during
the Civil War.
Antoine A.M. Gaujot, Class of
1901 and Julien E. Gaujot, Class of 1894 are two of the few
brothers ever awarded the Medal of Honor and only pair to receive the
Medal for actions in different wars. Antoine Gaujot received the medal
for actions as an army corporal at the Battle of San Mateo during the
Philippine Insurrection. He made persistent effort under heavy enemy
rifle fire to locate a ford in order to help his unit cross the swollen
river to attack. Unable to accomplish this he swam with a companion
again under fire and against a dangerous current across the river to the
enemy side. There, he secured an enemy canoe and returned it to the
friendly side of the river. Julien, his brother and a regular army
officer, became obsessed with his brother's achievement. Referring to
Antoine, Julien said "He wears it for a watch fob, the damn civilian, I
got to get me one of them things for myself if I bust." Julien Gaujot
received the medal for actions on the Mexican Border in 1914. He is the
only soldier ever awarded the Medal for actions of a peacekeeping
nature. In Douglas, Arizona, stray bullets from fighting among Mexican
rebels and government troops caused American casualties. Julien Gaujot
crossed the border under heavy fire. He moved between the two groups of
belligerents for an hour, amongst heavy fire. This secured the safe
passage of the Mexican soldiers and American prisoners over the border
to the United States. His actions saved five Americans taken prisoner by
the Mexicans, 25 Mexican soldiers plus Americans and Mexican rebels who
would have died in continued fighting.
Earle D. Gregory, Class of
1923, a native of Chase City and graduate of Fork Union Military
Academy, studied Electrical Engineering at Virginia Tech. As a senior at
Virginia Tech he was a Cadet Captain and company commander, President of
the Corps of Cadets, and selected as Most Popular Cadet. Earle Gregory
received the Medal of Honor for actions as an army sergeant during the
Meuse Argonne Offensive in World War I. He is considered to be the first
Virginian to receive the medal and often called the Sergeant York of
Virginia. Earle Gregory armed with a rifle and a mortar shell used as a
hand grenade, single handedly captured a machine gun and three enemy
soldiers. Continuing his advance he captured a howitzer and 19 enemy
soldiers.
Herbert J. Thomas, Class of
1944, a native of Charleston, West Virginia and graduate of South
Charleston High School, studied Business Administration at Virginia
Tech. Cadet Sergeant Herbert Thomas was a legendary football player and
is a member of Virginia Tech's Athletic Hall of Fame. His senior year he
was the second highest scorer in the Southern Conference and received
All American honors. He received the Medal of Honor for action on
Bougainville Island in World War II while a Sergeant in the Marine
Corps. Through dense jungle and severe machine gun fire Herbert Thomas
led his men in destroying two enemy machine gun positions. Halted by a
third enemy machine gun, he positioned his men to rush the enemy after
he threw a hand grenade. He threw the grenade only to have the jungle
vines drop it back among his men. Seeing the danger to his men, he
leaped upon the hand grenade, saving their lives with the sacrifice of
his own.
Jimmie W. Monteith, Class of
1944, a native of Richmond and graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School,
studied Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech. While at Virginia Tech
Cadet Monteith played football. Jimmie Monteith received the Medal of
Honor for actions as an army lieutenant at D-Day during World War II.
Without regard for his own safety he led the assault over exposed beach
to the cover a narrow ledge. Leaving cover he moved toward two tanks.
Exposed to intense artillery and machine gun fire, he led them through a
minefield and directed the tank fire, destroying several enemy
positions. He then returned to his men and he led them in the capture of
an advantageous position. Against vicious enemy counterattacks he
repetitively crossed open terrain under heavy fire to strengthen his
unit's defense until he was killed.
Robert E. Femoyer, Class of
1944, an Eagle Scout, graduated from Saint Joseph Catholic High School
in Huntington, West Virginia. Robert Femoyer studied Civil Engineering
at Virginia Tech. During World War II he enlisted in the Army Air Force
and is the only navigator awarded the Medal of Honor. On a bombing
mission over Germany, he was wounded by enemy aircraft fire, which
seriously damaged his B-17 bomber. Despite extreme pain and great loss
of blood he refused morphine in order to keep his mental faculties
clear. For two and half-hours he guided the lone bomber through six
changes in course around enemy antiaircraft concentrations. Bleeding
steadily he worked with amazing clarity despite pain described as
"almost beyond the realm of human endurance". As the crippled aircraft
crossed safely over the English Channel, Lieutenant Robert Femoyer
finally allowed an injection of morphine. Thirty minutes after landing
he died of wounds.
Richard Shea, Class of 1948,
a native of Portsmouth, graduated from Churchland High School. He first
studied in uniform at Virginia Tech at the height of World War II.
Enlisting in the army, he served as a Sergeant, and entered West Point
where he graduated. He was an All American in track and said to have
been the greatest track star to attend Virginia Tech (where he ran his
first competitive race) or West Point. Turning down the opportunity to
attend the Olympics he joined his classmates in the Korean War. Richard
Shea received the Medal of Honor for actions as an army first lieutenant
at Pork Chop Hill during the Korean War. Fighting outnumbered, he
voluntarily proceeded to the area most threatened, organizing and
leading a counterattack. During the bitter fighting, he killed two enemy
with his trench knife. In over 18 hours of heavy fighting he moved among
the defenders of Pork Chop Hill ensuring a successful defense. Leading a
counterattack he killed three enemy soldiers single-handedly. Although
wounded, he refused evacuation. He was last seen fighting hand-to-hand
during yet another counterattack. He left behind a wife and unborn son.
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