John J. McVeigh

John Joseph McVeigh (September 26, 1921 – August 29, 1944) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions during the Battle for Brest in World War II.

Early life and military service McVeigh was born in 1921. He was working at a rustproofing company when he joined the Army in his hometown of Philadelphia in September 1942, and by August 29, 1944, was serving as a sergeant in Company H, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. During a German counterattack on that day, near Brest, France, he directed his squad's fire and, when his position was almost overrun, single-handedly charged the Germans with his only weapon, a trench knife. McVeigh was killed in the attack and, on April 6, 1945, posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

McVeigh, aged 22 at his death, was buried in the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham, Pennsylvania.

Medal of Honor citation Sergeant McVeigh's official Medal of Honor citation reads: