Omaha Beach: US Cemetery Colleville Sur Mer
1st Lieutenant Jimmie W Monteith Jr
16th Inf/Rgt / 1st Infantry Division.
Landing with the first wave at Fox Sector on OMAHA Beach on D-Day 6th June 1944, Jimmie Monteith was one of approximately 3,000 United States casualties on OMAHA Beach. His outstanding bravery and leadership led to a posthumous award of the Congressional Medal of Honour. He is one of 9,637 U.S. service personnel buried in the U.S. Cemetery at Colleville sur Mer. He was 26 years old.
His Citation reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on 6 June 1944, near Colleville-sur-Mer, France. 1st Lt. Monteith landed with the initial assault waves on the coast of France under heavy enemy fire. Without regard to his own personal safety he continually moved up and down the beach reorganizing men for further assault. He then led the assault over a narrow protective ledge and across the flat, exposed terrain to the comparative safety of a cliff. Retracing his steps across the field to the beach, he moved over to where 2 tanks were buttoned up and blind under violent enemy artillery and machine gun fire. Completely exposed to the intense fire, 1st Lt. Monteith led the tanks on foot through a minefield and into firing positions. Under his direction several enemy positions were destroyed. He then rejoined his company and under his leadership his men captured an advantageous position on the hill. Supervising the defense of his newly won position against repeated vicious counterattacks, he continued to ignore his own personal safety, repeatedly crossing the 200 or 300 yards of open terrain under heavy fire to strengthen links in his defensive chain. When the enemy succeeded in completely surrounding 1st Lt. Monteith and his unit and while leading the fight out of the situation, 1st Lt. Monteith was killed by enemy fire. The courage, gallantry, and intrepid leadership displayed by 1st Lt. Monteith is worthy of emulation. By Malcolm Clough
Men like Lt. Monteith should never be forgotten. The deeds they performed are nothing short of incredible – I can’t imagine. All of us who live in freedom must always remember the soldiers, sailors and airmen who fought in World War II. I am proud to say my father is among those who fought at Normandy as the commanding officer of LCT 709 landing at Utah Beach. You will all never be forgotten – THANK YOU!
Merçi!!!!!!!
Lafyette, we ARE here, and will always be so. I suspect you were at Omaha Beach to meet those who answered your call… I bet you and Lt. Montieth would get along very well!