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‘A true American hero'

WWII Medal of Honor recipient Francis Sherman Currey passes away at 94

Oct 14, 2019

By Patricio Robayo - staff writer

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By: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Francis Sherman “Frank” Currey, World War II Medal of Honor and Hurleyville native, passed away on October 8.

SULLIVAN — One of the three last remaining World War II Medal of Honor recpients passed away at 94 years-old on October 8.
Born in Lock Sheldrake in 1925, Francis Sherman “Frank” Currey was orphaned at age 12 and raised by foster parents. He enlisted in the U.S. Army a week after graduating from Hurleyvville High School in 1943.
He was an automatic rifleman, the 3rd Platoon of Company K of the 120th Infantry Regiment, and was assigned to defend a small Belgian town of Malmedy during the Battle of the Bulge. With only a small amount of weapons, Currey was facing several German tanks while defending a bridge and bravely inflicted heavy losses on the enemy.
Going at it alone, he was able to secure a bazooka and use it against the enemy to disable a tank.
He quickly moved to another position and killed or wounded three German soldiers from a building with his automatic rifle.
Using the bazooka, he then blew down a wall that revealed five American soldiers that were pinned down by the enemy.
Using the tank grenades from an abandoned vehicle, he was able to disable three enemy's tanks and lead his fellow soldiers to safety.
His heroic actions forced the enemy to withdraw, and he secured the flank of his battalion's position, which slowed down the German's advance for 12 hours.
For his heroic efforts, he was awarded the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor in 1945. He was awarded the Belgian Order of Leopold, a Silver Star, Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts after he finished his service.
“Do the best you can and then do one better,” said Currey during an interview with the Medal of Honor Foundation.“I hope my country can be proud of me as I am of my country.”
His service to country did not end with the war. When he returned home Currey worked as a counselor at the Stratton V.A. Medical Center for 30 years in Albany before retiring in 1980.
He was also a Charter Member of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
The Town of Fallsburg held a special meeting on October 10 to honor and recognize Currey.
Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered the flags on all state government buildings to be flown at half staff in honor of Currey on October 11.
“Francis S. Currey was a true American hero who made great personal sacrifices to serve his country during World War II,” said Governor Cuomo. “His significant contributions during the Battle of the Bulge and beyond helped to defeat fascism during the war. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I extend our sympathy to his friends and family and express our sincerest gratitude for his service, bravery, and accomplishments.”
In 1998, the first Medal of Honor G.I. Joe action figure was created and was modeled after Currey.
On July 12, 2009, former New York Governor Paterson declared the day as Francis Currey Day throughout the state. And in 2013, Currey's photo was used as one of the 12 Medal of Honor recipients who were honored with a U.S. Postal Stamp.
Chairman of the Sullivan County Legislature Luis Alvarez and the Sullivan County Veterans Service Agency arranged for a Rolling V bus to transport mourners to Currey's funeral in Ravena on Saturday, October 12.
Currey was laid to rest in South Bethlehem, New York.

Remembered

In 2004, Neil Gilberg was sitting on the Fallsburg Town Council when he learned about Currey and his brave efforts in World War II and said he wanted to honor him. The decision led to a friendship between Gilberg and Currey that lasted until he passed away.
The Town of Fallsburg honored Currey with a day in his honor starting in 2004 and did so annually for 10 years.
“I was always impressed with his intelligence,” said Gilberg. “He was very thoughtful. My life was certainly impacted by it in a very positive way.”
Many say Currey was a very humble man who would never really talk about what he did on that fateful day.
Gilberg said the thing Currey was most proud of was when his platoon was able to intercept a train that was transporting Holocaust prisoners to a concentration camp.
Gilberg said Currey kept in touch with those children who were on that train and would reunite with them every year.
“That's where he felt he really made a difference,” said Gilberg. Currey and Gilberg became very close as the years went by, and he would visit him at his home in Selkirk on Sundays.
Paul Ciliberto, the host of Thunder 102's morning show, remembered when he met Currey. “I was so impressed by how humble and kind he was. A true gentleman,” said Ciliberto, who emceed a parade that honored Currey. “Francis was appreciative, he was very humble and a bit uncomfortable with all the attention. It was such an honor for me to be in the presence of a true American hero.”
Chairman Alvarez said, “Sullivan County and this nation have lost a man among men, a true hero and one of our most cherished and honored citizens. His story continues to inspire to this day.
Sullivan County Historian John Conway said, “I think he is an extraordinary example of ‘the greatest generation' and their can-do attitude toward overcoming imposing obstacles in life. His achievements under horrific conditions are a testament to a character shaped by hard work and the privations of growing up on a farm in Hurleyville during the Great Depression. Definitely, someone we could all learn from.”

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