my Grandfather was a teacher in upstate New York during the '50s. there, he met one of his life-long friends, Patrick Heagerty, a fellow teacher.
little did he know at the time, but Mr. Heagerty was a veteran of the Army during WW2. he was reluctant to talk about his combat experiences that won him two Purple Hearts, one Bronze Star, and the Silver Star, until just a few years ago.
Mr. Heagerty's wife sent my grandfather this article recently. this is the action that won him the Silver Star, at 18 years old:
Meanwhile, other elements of ITEM company had started out in the direction of Adeleans moving along the road. Accompanied by two tanks, the 1st platoon was pushing ahead with Pfc. Patrick D. Heagerty, as first scout, about 200 yards ahead. As he reached the crest of the hill, Pfc. Heagerty was fired on by a machine gun and rifles from a hedge row along the top of the ridge. He immediately flashed the word back that the enemy were out there and called for tank fire. One of the tanks pulled up and fired a few rounds into the hedge row. Meanwhile, Pfc. Heagerty worked himself into position as close as he could get to the hedge row. Crawling to within 35 yards of it, with machine gun bullets kicking up the dirt all around him, he tossed two hand grenades into the hedge, then got up and assaulted the position. So surprised were the enemy at his action, they were actually unable to move. Heagerty, with a burst from his Tommy gun, killed the machine gunner and his assistant and took 12 German prisoners, thus cleaning out the strong point and allowing his company to setup on the high ground, in an advantageous position.
I've had the honor of meeting this man numerous times during my life, and he is truly remarkable.
his advice to anyone interested in joining the military:
"For God's sake, do not join the infantry!"
He currently lives with his wife in Cazenovia, New York at the age of 85
