Pruitt, John Henry - The National Medal of Honor Museum

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U.S. Marine CorpsAwarded Posthumously

Pruitt, John Henry

ConflictWorld War I

Year of Action1918

Unit/Command78th Company, 6th Regiment, 4th Marine Brigade, 2nd Division

BirthplaceFayetteville, Arkansas

Citation

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.

Branch: U.S. Marine Corps Conflict: World War I Year of Action: 1918