Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Stories of Sacrifice

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Korean War - U.S. Marine Corps

Whitt Lloyd Moreland

Details
  • Rank: Private First Class
  • Conflict/Era: Korean War
  • Unit/Command:
    Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines,
    1st Marine Division (Rein)
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: May 29, 1951
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: Kwagch'i-Dong, Korea
Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an intelligence scout attached to Company C, in action against enemy aggressor forces. Voluntarily accompanying a rifle platoon in a daring assault against a strongly defended enemy hill position, Pfc. Moreland delivered accurate rifle fire on the hostile emplacement and thereby aided materially in seizing the objective. After the position had been secured, he unhesitatingly led a party forward to neutralize an enemy bunker which he had observed some 400 meters beyond, and moving boldly through a fire-swept area, almost reached the hostile emplacement when the enemy launched a volley of hand grenades on his group. Quick to act despite the personal danger involved, he kicked several of the grenades off the ridgeline where they exploded harmlessly and, while attempting to kick away another, slipped and fell near the deadly missile. Aware that the sputtering grenade would explode before he could regain his feet and dispose of it, he shouted a warning to his comrades, covered the missile with his body and absorbed the full blast of the explosion, but in saving his companions from possible injury or death, was mortally wounded. His heroic initiative and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon Pfc. Moreland and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Medal of Honor Recipient Whitt L. Moreland
Medal of Honor Recipient Whitt L. Moreland
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: Austin, Travis County, Texas
  • Awarded Posthumously: Yes
  • Presentation Date & Details: August 4, 1952

    at Austin, Texas to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd W. Moreland, by Col. Albert F. Heinze.

  • Born: March 7, 1930, Waco, McLennan County, TX, United States
  • Died: May 29, 1951, Korea
  • Buried: Whittington Cemetery (MH), Mount Ida, AR, United States
 

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