CURREY, FRANCIS S.

Mr. Currey’s birthday is June 29th and he will be 85 years old. When he was 18 he completed Officer Candidate School then was denied his commission because he was too young. So he went to Europe to fight in WWII and fight he did. Sgt. Currey used grenades, rifles and a bazooka to decimate the enemy and protect his soldiers. How tough is this man? In 1998 a G. I. Joe was modeled after Sgt. Curry! Say happy birthday and please take a moment to read the citation of a hero.

Rank: Sergeant
Organization: U.S. Army
Company: Company K
Division: 120th Infantry, 30th Infantry Division
Born: Loch Sheldrake, N.Y.
Departed: No
Entered Service At: Hurleyville, N.Y.
G.O. Number: 69
Date of Issue: 08/17/1945
Accredited To:
Place / Date: Malmedy, Belgium, 21 December 1944
 
 
Citation:

He was an automatic rifleman with the 3d Platoon 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. Sgt. 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 1 shot. Moving to another position, he observed 3 Germans in the doorway of an enemy-held house. He killed or wounded all 3 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 1 wall. While in this forward position, he observed 5 Americans who had been pinned down for hours by fire from the house and 3 tanks. Realizing that they could not escape until the enemy tank and infantry guns had been silenced, Sgt. 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 5 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, Sgt. Currey was greatly responsible for inflicting heavy losses in men and material on the enemy, for rescuing 5 comrades, 2 of whom were wounded, and for stemming an attack which threatened to flank his battalion’s position.