Tuscaloosa American Legion To Honor WWI Medal Of Honor Recipient

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Tuscaloosa American Legion Post 123 will honor the legacy of World War I Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Earl D. Gregory during a memorial service on Tuesday, Oct. 8.

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The free event will take place at 10 a.m. in the chapel at the Tuscaloosa Memorial Park and Chapel, located at 5434 Old Birmingham Highway.

The ceremony will feature a memorial service, a wreath laying, a Color Guard presentation and a 21-gun salute.

Gregory received the Medal of Honor for his bravery during the battle at Bois-de-Consenvoye, France, on Oct. 8, 1918.

He was awarded the military's highest honor by Major General Omar Bundy on April 29, 1919, at Fort Lee, Virginia.

The French government also honored Gregory with several awards for valor, including the Croix de Guerre, the Medal of the Legion of Honor, the Medaille Militaire and the Montenegrin Order of Merit.

His citation says that Gregory seized a rifle and a trench mortar shell, advancing ahead of his platoon to capture a machine gun and three enemy soldiers. He later captured a mountain howitzer and single-handedly took 19 additional enemies prisoner.

Gregory was wounded in the leg three days after that heroic effort while attempting to capture another German trench. He then recovered for six months in hospitals in France and Camp Lee, Virginia.

After the war, Gregory pursued a degree in Electrical Engineering at Virginia Tech before moving to Tuscaloosa in 1935.

Gregory went on to serve as the director of the Recreation Department at the Tuscaloosa Veterans Administration Hospital and retired in 1962 as the administrative assistant to the Chief of Staff.

He served as the commander of American Legion Post 123 in 1950 and was also a dedicated Master Mason.

Gregory passed away on Jan. 6, 1972, and remained a beloved member of the Tuscaloosa community throughout his life.

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