MONTGOMERY, Jack Cleveland
	PERSONALIA   Name:  Montgomery, Jack Cleveland Date of birth:  July 23rd, 1917 (Long/Oklahoma, United States) Date of death:  June 11th, 2002 (Muskogee/Oklahoma, United States) Nationality:  American       SILVER STAR Rank: 2nd Lieutenant (Second-lieutenant) Unit: Platoon leader Company I, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division "Thunderbird", U.S. Army Action: For action performed on 9 October 1943, near Benevento/Province of Benevento, Campania region, Italy. Details: Citation unavailable.         MEDAL OF HONOR - ARMY (MOH) Rank: 1st Lieutenant (Lieutenant) Unit: Company I, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division "Thunderbird", U.S. Army Awarded on: January 15th, 1945 Action: Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 45th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near, Padiglione, Italy, 22 February 1944. Entered service at: Sallisaw, Okla. Birth: Long, Okla. G.O. No.: 5, 15 January 1945. Citation: 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 Ml 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.         BRONZE STAR (BS) Unit: Company I, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division "Thunderbird", U.S. Army         PURPLE HEART Unit: Company I, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division "Thunderbird", U.S. Army         PURPLE HEART Unit: Company I, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division "Thunderbird", U.S. Army Details: This award was obtained in the form of an Oak Leave to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.         Provide alterations or additional information Picture source:   - Home of Heroes Information source(s):   - Jordan, Kenneth N., Yesterday’s Heroes – 433 men of World War II awarded the Medal of Honor 1941-1945, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., USA, 1996 - Whitlock, F., The Rock of Anzio – From Sicily to Dachau: A History of the U.S. 45th Infantry Division, Westview Press, Boulder, USA, 1998 - 45th Division - The New York Times (June 17, 2002)