World War II Honoree

Robert Montgomery

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Beacon, New York

Honored By

Joe Arsena

FOLLOWING ENGLAND'S DECLARATION OF WAR, HE ENLISTED FOR AMERICAN FIELD SERVICE AND DROVE AMBULANCES IN FRANCE UNTIL THE EVACUATION AT DUNKIRK. WHEN THE U.S. ENTERED THE WAR, HE JOINED THE U.S. NAVY AND SERVED AS NAVAL ATTACHE ON BRITISH DESTROYERS HUNTING U-BOATS IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC. HE THEN ATTENDED TORPEDO BOAT SCHOOL AND BECAME A PT COMMANDER. IN 1942 MONTGOMERY SAW ACTION AT NOUMEA, ESPIRITU SANTO, GUADALCANAL AND NEW GEORGIA AND WAS OPERATIONS OFFICER ABOARD A DESTROYER DURING THE D-DAY INVASION OF FRANCE. HE SERVED 5 YEARS YEARS OF ACTIVE DUTY AND AMONG THE MILITARY HONORS BESTOWED UPON HIM WERE THE BRONZE STAR AND BEING DECORATED AS A CHEVALIER IN THE FRENCH LEGION OF HONOR. RETIRED FROM THE NAVY WITH THE RANK OF COMMANDER.