Medal of Honor Recipient: Assistant Adjutant General Oliver D. Greene
Rank and organization: Major and Assistant Adjutant
General, U.S. Army. Place and date: At Antietam, Md., 17 September 1862. Entered service
at: Scott, N.Y. Born: 25 January 1833, Scott, N.Y.
Date of issue: 13 December
1893.
Citation: Formed the columns under heavy fire and put them
into position.
Medal of Honor Recipient: Private First Class Arthur J. Jackson
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S.
Marine Corps, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Place and date: Island of Peleliu in the Palau group, 18 September 1944. Entered
service at: Oregon.
Born: 18 October 1924,
Cleveland Ohio.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 3d Battalion, 7th
Marines, 1st Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on the
Island of Peleliu in the Palau group, 18 September 1944. Boldly taking the
initiative when his platoon's left flank advance was held up by the fire of
Japanese troops concealed in strongly fortified positions, Pfc. Jackson
unhesitatingly proceeded forward of our lines and, courageously defying the
heavy barrages, charged a large pillbox housing approximately 35 enemy
soldiers. Pouring his automatic fire into the opening of the fixed installation
to trap the occupying troops, he hurled white phosphorus grenades and explosive
charges brought up by a fellow marine, demolishing the pillbox and killing all
of the enemy. Advancing alone under the continuous fire from other hostile
emplacements, he employed similar means to smash 2 smaller positions in the
immediate vicinity. Determined to crush the entire pocket of resistance
although harassed on all sides by the shattering blasts of Japanese weapons and
covered only by small rifle parties, he stormed 1 gun position after another,
dealing death and destruction to the savagely fighting enemy in his inexorable
drive against the remaining defenses, and succeeded in wiping out a total of 12
pillboxes and 50 Japanese soldiers. Stouthearted and indomitable despite the
terrific odds. Pfc. Jackson resolutely maintained control of the platoon's left
flank movement throughout his valiant 1-man assault and, by his cool decision
and relentless fighting spirit during a critical situation, contributed
essentially to the complete annihilation of the enemy in the southern sector of
the island. His gallant initiative and heroic conduct in the face of extreme
peril reflect the highest credit upon Pfc. Jackson and the U.S. Naval Service.
Medal of Honor Recipient: Corporal William D. Morgan
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S.
Marine Corps. Company H, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division. Place
and date: Quang Tri Province,
Republic of Vietnam, 25 February 1969. Entered service at:
Pittsburgh, Pa. Born: 17 September 1947, Pittsburgh, Pa.
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 Company H, in operations
against the enemy. While participating in Operation DEWEY
CANYON southeast of Vandergrift
Combat Base, 1 of the squads of Cpl. Morgan's platoon was temporarily pinned
down and sustained several casualties while attacking a North Vietnamese Army
force occupying a heavily fortified bunker complex. Observing that 2 of the
wounded marines had fallen in a position dangerously exposed to the enemy fire
and that all attempts to evacuate them were halted by a heavy volume of
automatic weapons fire and rocket-propelled grenades. Cpl. Morgan
unhesitatingly maneuvered through the dense jungle undergrowth to a road that
passed in front of a hostile emplacement which was the principal source of
enemy fire. Fully aware of the possible consequences of his valiant action, but
thinking only of the welfare of his injured companions, Cpl. Morgan shouted words
of encouragement to them as he initiated an aggressive assault against the
hostile bunker. While charging across the open road, he was clearly visible to
the hostile soldiers who turned their fire in his direction and mortally
wounded him, but his diversionary tactic enabled the remainder of his squad to
retrieve their casualties and overrun the North Vietnamese Army position. His
heroic and determined actions saved the lives of 2 fellow marines and were
instrumental in the subsequent defeat of the enemy. Cpl. Morgan's indomitable
courage, inspiring initiative and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest
traditions of the Marine Corps and of the U.S. Naval Services. He gallantly
gave his life for his country.
Medal of Honor Recipient: Sergeant WIlliam McBryar
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company K, 1 0th U.S.
Cavalry. Place and date: Arizona,
7 March 1890.
Entered service at: New York,
N.Y. Birth: 14 February 1861, Elizabethtown, N.C.
Date of issue: 15 May 1890.
Citation: Distinguished himself for coolness, bravery and marksmanship while
his troop was in pursuit of hostile Apache Indians.
Medal of Honor Recipient: Corporal Christopher Flynn
Rank and organization: Corporal, Company K, 14th
Connecticut Infantry. Place and date: At Gettysburg, Pa., 3 July 1863. Entered service at: Sprague, Conn.
Birth: Ireland.
Date of issue: 1 December
1864.
Citation: Capture of flag of 52d North Carolina Infantry
(C.S.A.).
Medal of Honor Recipient: Captain Jefferson Joseph Deblanc
Rank and Organization: Captain, U.S.
Marine Corps Reserve, Marine Fighting Squadron 112. Place and date: Off Kolombangara Island in the Solomons group, 31 January 1943. Entered
service at: Louisiana.
Born: 15 February 1921, Lockport, La.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as leader
of a section of 6 fighter planes in Marine Fighting Squadron 112, during aerial
operations against enemy Japanese forces off Kolombangara Island in the
Solomons group, 31 January 1943. Taking off with his section as escort for a
strike force of dive bombers and torpedo planes ordered to attack Japanese
surface vessels, 1st Lt. DeBlanc led his flight directly to the target area
where, at 14,000 feet, our strike force encountered a large number of Japanese
Zeros protecting the enemy's surface craft. In company with the other fighters,
1st Lt. DeBlanc instantly engaged the hostile planes and aggressively countered
their repeated attempts to drive off our bombers, persevering in his efforts to
protect the diving planes and waging fierce combat until, picking up a call for
assistance from the dive bombers, under attack by enemy float planes at 1,000
feet, he broke off his engagement with the Zeros, plunged into the formation of
float planes and disrupted the savage attack, enabling our dive bombers and
torpedo planes to complete their runs on the Japanese surface disposition and
withdraw without further incident. Although his escort mission was fulfilled
upon the safe retirement of the bombers, 1st Lt. DeBlanc courageously remained
on the scene despite a rapidly diminishing fuel supply and, boldly challenging
the enemy's superior number of float planes, fought a valiant battle against
terrific odds, seizing the tactical advantage and striking repeatedly to
destroy 3 of the hostile aircraft and to disperse the remainder. Prepared to
maneuver his damaged plane back to base, he had climbed aloft and set his
course when he discovered 2 Zeros closing in behind. Undaunted, he opened fire
and blasted both Zeros from the sky in a short, bitterly fought action which
resulted in such hopeless damage to his own plane that he was forced to bail
out at a perilously low altitude atop the trees on enemy-held Kolombangara. A
gallant officer, a superb airman, and an indomitable fighter, 1st Lt. DeBlanc
had rendered decisive assistance during a critical stage of operations, and his
unwavering fortitude in the face of overwhelming opposition reflects the
highest credit upon himself and adds new luster to the traditions of the U.S.
Naval Service.
Medal of Honor Recipient: Lance Corporal Joe C. Paul
Rank and organization: Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine
Corps, Company H, 2d Battalion, 4th Marines (Rein), 3d Marine Division (Rein).
Place and date: near Chu Lai, Republic
of Vietnam, 18 August 1965. Entered
service at: Dayton, Ohio. Born: 23 April 1946, Williamsburg, Ky.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty. In violent battle, L/Cpl. Paul's platoon
sustained 5 casualties as it was temporarily pinned down, by devastating
mortar, recoilless rifle, automatic weapons, and rifle fire delivered by
insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in well entrenched positions. The
wounded marines were unable to move from their perilously exposed positions
forward of the remainder of their platoon, and were suddenly subjected to a
barrage of white phosphorous rifle grenades. L/Cpl. Paul, fully aware that his
tactics would almost certainly result in serious injury or death to himself,
chose to disregard his safety and boldly dashed across the fire-swept rice
paddies, placed himself between his wounded comrades and the enemy, and
delivered effective suppressive fire with his automatic weapon in order to
divert the attack long enough to allow the casualties to be evacuated. Although
critically wounded during the course of the battle, he resolutely remained in
his exposed position and continued to fire his rifle until he collapsed and was
evacuated. By his fortitude and gallant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of
almost certain death, he saved the lives of several of his fellow marines. His
heroic action served to inspire all who observed him and reflect the highest
credit upon himself, the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly
gave his life in the cause of freedom.
Medal of Honor Recipient: Private George W. Miller
Rank and organization: Private, Company B, 8th U.S.
Cavalry. Place and date: Arizona,
August to October 1868. Entered service at:------. Birth: Philadelphia, Pa.
Date of issue: 24 July 1869.
Citation: Bravery in scouts and actions against Indians.
Medal of Honor Recipient: Private Nathaniel Gwynne
Rank and organization: Private, Company H, 13th Ohio
Cavalry. Place and date: At Petersburg, Va., 30 July 1864. Entered service at: Fairmount, Mo.
Birth: Champaign County, Ohio. Date of issue. 27 January 1865.
Citation: When about
entering upon the charge, this soldier, then but 15 years old, was cautioned
not to go in, as he had not been mustered. He indignantly protected and
participated in the charge, his left arm being crushed by a shell and amputated
soon afterward
Medal of Honor Recipient: Second Lieutenant George W. G. Boyce Jr.
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S.
Army, 112th Cavalry Regimental Combat Team. Place and date. Near Afua, New
Guinea, 23 July 1944. Entered service at: Town of Cornwall, Orange County, N.Y.
Birth: New York City,
N.Y. G.O. No.: 25, 7 April
1945.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty near Afua, New Guinea,
on 23 July 1944.
2d Lt. Boyce's troop, having been ordered to the relief of another unit
surrounded by superior enemy forces, moved out, and upon gaining contact with
the enemy, the two leading platoons deployed and built up a firing line. 2d Lt.
Boyce was ordered to attack with his platoon and make the main effort on the
right of the troop. He launched his attack but after a short advance
encountered such intense rifle, machinegun, and mortar fire that the forward
movement of his platoon was temporarily halted. A shallow depression offered a
route of advance and he worked his squad up this avenue of approach in order to
close with the enemy. He was promptly met by a volley of hand grenades, 1
falling between himself and the men immediately following. Realizing at once
that the explosion would kill or wound several of his men, he promptly threw
himself upon the grenade and smothered the blast with his own body. By thus
deliberately sacrificing his life to save those of his men, this officer
exemplified the highest traditions of the U.S. Armed Forces
Medal of Honor Recipient: Specialist Fourth Class Hector Santiago-Colon
Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S.
Army, Company B, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile).
Place and date: Quang
Tri Province,
Republic of Vietnam, 28 June 1968. Entered service at: New York, N.Y.
Born: 20 December 1942,
Salinas, Puerto Rico.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of
duty. Sp4c. Santiago-Colon distinguished himself at the cost of his life while
serving as a gunner in the mortar platoon of Company B. While serving as a
perimeter sentry, Sp4c. Santiago-Colon heard distinct movement in the heavily
wooded area to his front and flanks. Immediately he alerted his fellow sentries
in the area to move to their foxholes and remain alert for any enemy probing
forces. From the wooded area around his position heavy enemy automatic weapons
and small-arms fire suddenly broke out, but extreme darkness rendered difficult
the precise location and identification of the hostile force. Only the muzzle
flashes from enemy weapons indicated their position. Sp4c. Santiago-Colon and
the other members of his position immediately began to repel the attackers,
utilizing hand grenades, antipersonnel mines and small-arms fire. Due to the
heavy volume of enemy fire and exploding grenades around them, a North
Vietnamese soldier was able to crawl, undetected, to their position. Suddenly,
the enemy soldier lobbed a hand grenade into Sp4c. Santiago-Colon's foxhole.
Realizing that there was no time to throw the grenade out of his position,
Sp4c. Santiago-Colon retrieved the grenade, tucked it in to his stomach and,
turning away from his comrades, absorbed the full impact of the blast. His
heroic self-sacrifice saved the lives of those who occupied the foxhole with
him, and provided them with the inspiration to continue fighting until they had
forced the enemy to retreat from the perimeter. By his gallantry at the cost of
his life and in the highest traditions of the military service, Sp4c.
Santiago-Colon has reflected great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S.
Army.
Medal of Honor Recipient: Blacksmith James Pratt
Rank and organization: Blacksmith, Company I, 4th U.S.
Cavalry. Place and date: At Red River, Tex., 29 September 1872. Entered service at: Bellefontaine, Ohio.
Birth: Bellefontaine, Ohio. Date of issue: 19 November 1872.
Citation: Gallantry
in action.