It's Medal of Honor Day. Take some time to reflect on those who've earned the highest honor we can bestow for valor to military members. Most earn it posthumously.
Rank: Private First Class (Highest Rank: Corporal) Conflict/Era: World War II Unit/Command: 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division Military Service Branch: U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Medal of Honor Action Date: July 21 - 22, 1944 Medal of Honor Action Place: Asan-Adelup Beachhead, Guam, Mariana Islands
Citation For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a squad leader with a mortar section of a rifle company in the 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on the Asan-Adelup beachhead, Guam, Mariana Islands, 21[-22 July 1944. When the section leader became a casualty under a heavy mortar barrage shortly after landing, Pfc. Skaggs promptly assumed command and led the section through intense fire for a distance of 200 yards to a position from which to deliver effective coverage of the assault on a strategic cliff. Valiantly defending this vital position against strong enemy counterattacks during the night, Pfc. Skaggs was critically wounded when a Japanese grenade lodged in his foxhole and exploded, shattering the lower part of one leg. Quick to act, he applied an improvised tourniquet and, while propped up in his foxhole, gallantly returned the enemy's fire with his rifle and hand grenades for a period of eight hours, later crawling unassisted to the rear to continue the fight until the Japanese had been annihilated. Uncomplaining and calm throughout this critical period, Pfc. Skaggs served as a heroic example of courage and fortitude to other wounded men and, by his courageous leadership and inspiring devotion to duty, upheld the high traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
Additional Details
Accredited to: Kentucky Awarded Posthumously: No Presentation Date & Details: June 15, 1945 The White House, presented by Pres. Harry S. Truman Born: March 3, 1923, Henderson, Henderson County, KY, United States Died: April 6, 1976, Sarasota, FL, United States Buried: Arlington National Cemetery (MH) (46-1066-8), Arlington, VA, United States
Rank: Sergeant First Class (Highest Rank: Command Sergeant Major) Conflict/Era: Vietnam War Unit/Command: Advisory Team 21, II Corps Advisory Group, U.S. Military Assistance Command Military Service Branch: U.S. Army Medal of Honor Action Date: April 4 - 8, 1970 Medal of Honor Action Place: Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam
Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sfc. Littrell, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, Advisory Team 21, distinguished himself while serving as a Light Weapons Infantry adviser with the 23d Battalion, 2d Ranger Group, Republic of Vietnam Army, near Dak Seang. After establishing a defensive perimeter on a hill on 4 April, the battalion was subjected to an intense enemy mortar attack which killed the Vietnamese commander, one adviser, and seriously wounded all the advisers except Sfc. Littrell. During the ensuing four days, Sfc. Littrell exhibited near superhuman endurance as he singlehandedly bolstered the besieged battalion. Repeatedly abandoning positions of relative safety, he directed artillery and air support by day and marked the unit's location by night, despite the heavy, concentrated enemy fire. His dauntless will instilled in the men of the 23d Battalion a deep desire to resist. Assault after assault was repulsed as the battalion responded to the extraordinary leadership and personal example exhibited by Sfc. Littrell as he continuously moved to those points most seriously threatened by the enemy, redistributed ammunition, strengthened faltering defenses, cared for the wounded, and shouted encouragement to the Vietnamese in their own language. When the beleaguered battalion was finally ordered to withdraw, numerous ambushes were encountered. Sfc. Littrell repeatedly prevented widespread disorder by directing air strikes to within 50 meters of their position. Through his indomitable courage and complete disregard for his safety, he averted excessive loss of life and injury to the members of the battalion. The sustained extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by Sfc. Littrell over an extended period of time were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him and the U.S. Army.
Additional Details
Accredited to: Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California Awarded Posthumously: No Presentation Date & Details: October 15, 1973
The White House, presented by Pres. Richard M. Nixon Born: October 26, 1944, Henderson, Henderson County, KY, United States
1st Battalion, 6th Marines Battalion Commander while I was in that unit, Lt. Colonel Wesley Fox. Awarded the MOH for his actions during Operation Dewey Canyon in the 'nam. He always said that he was the caretaker of that Medal to honor and remember the true heroes of that action. Hell of a MARINE.
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
CAPTAIN WESLEY L. FOX UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as commanding officer of Company A, in action against the enemy in the northern A Shau Valley. Capt. (then 1st Lt.) Fox's company came under intense fire from a large well concealed enemy force. Capt. Fox maneuvered to a position from which he could assess the situation and confer with his platoon leaders. As they departed to execute the plan he had devised, the enemy attacked and Capt. Fox was wounded along with all of the other members of the command group, except the executive officer. Capt. Fox continued to direct the activity of his company. Advancing through heavy enemy fire, he personally neutralized 1 enemy position and calmly ordered an assault against the hostile emplacements. He then moved through the hazardous area coordinating aircraft support with the activities of his men. When his executive officer was mortally wounded, Capt. Fox reorganized the company and directed the fire of his men as they hurled grenades against the enemy and drove the hostile forces into retreat. Wounded again in the final assault, Capt. Fox refused medical attention, established a defensive posture, and supervised the preparation of casualties for medical evacuation. His indomitable courage, inspiring initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger inspired his Marines to such aggressive action that they overcame all enemy resistance and destroyed a large bunker complex. Capt. Fox's heroic actions reflect great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps, and uphold the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
Last edited by GaryLL1959; 03/25/24. Reason: Added citation
"...and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." Luke 22:36
A debt this nation can never repay to those that earned it, especially those that made the ultimate sacrifice achieving it. Thanks for posting it Teal.
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