Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
World War I - U.S. Marine Corps
John Henry Pruitt
Details
- Rank: Corporal
- Conflict/Era: World War I
- Unit/Command:
78th Company, 6th Regiment,
2d Division - Military Service Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
- Medal of Honor Action Date: October 3, 1918
- Medal of Honor Action Place: Blanc Mont Ridge, France
Citation
[Received both the Army and Navy Medal of Honor for the same deed.]
Navy Medal of Honor: For extraordinary gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2d Division, in action with the enemy at Blanc Mont Ridge, France, 3 October 1918. Cpl. Pruitt, singlehandedly attacked two machine guns, capturing them and killing two of the enemy. He then captured 40 prisoners in a dugout nearby. This gallant soldier was killed soon afterward by shellfire while he was sniping at the enemy.
Additional Details
- Accredited to: Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona
- Awarded Posthumously: Yes
- Presentation Date & Details: November 11, 1920
- Born: October 4, 1896, Fayetteville, Washington County, AR
- Died: October 4, 1918
- Buried: Arlington National Cemetery (MH) (18-2453), Arlington, VA
- Location of Medal: National Museum of the US Marine Corps, Quantico, VA