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Congressional Medal of Honor - Virginia Tech Recipients
The Medal of Honor was first awarded ten years prior to Virginia Tech's establishment 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's seven reflect more alumni so honored than any other institution of higher learning with only three exceptions, West Point, Annapolis and tied with Texas A&M. This is particularly significant when considering that just over half of the nation's medal 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 one 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 enemy side. There he secured an enemy canoe and returned it to the friendly side of the river. Julien his brother, a regular army officer, became obsessed with his brother 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 truly actions of a peacekeeping nature. Fighting among Mexican rebels and government troop started causing American casualties with stray bullets in Douglas, Arizona. Julien Gaujot crossed the border under heavy fire. There he moved between the two groups of belligerents often under fire for an hour. This secured the save 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. At Virginia Tech he studied Business Administration. 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 where he was 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 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 to two tanks where exposed to intense artillery and machine gun fire he led them through a minefield and directed the tank fire destroying several enemy positions. Returned to his men where he led them in capture an advantageous position. Against vicious enemy counterattacks he repetitively crossed open terrain under heavy fire to strengthen his unit's defense when 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. In spite of 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 a army first lieutenant at Pork Chop Hill during the Korea War. Fighting outnumbered he voluntarily proceeded to the area most threatened, organizing and leading a counterattack. Bitter fighting ensured where 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. Wounded he refused evacuation. Leading another despite counterattack he was last seen fighting hand-to-hand. He died leaving both a wife and unborn son.
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