John A. Pittman

John Albert Pittman (October 15, 1928 – April 8, 1995) was a soldier in the United States Army during the Korean War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 26, 1950 during the Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River.

John Albert Pittman
Medal of Honor recipient John Pittman
Born(1928-10-15)October 15, 1928
Carrollton, Mississippi
DiedApril 8, 1995(1995-04-08) (aged 66)
Greenwood, Mississippi
Place of burial
New Hope Church Cemetery,
Black Hawk, Carroll County, Mississippi
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1947–1951
RankSergeant
UnitCompany C, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division
Battles/warsKorean War
AwardsMedal of Honor
Purple Hearts (2)
President Harry S. Truman (center) with Pittman, standing to the President's left, and other Medal of Honor recipients shortly after presenting them with their medals

He is buried in New Hope Cemetery, Carroll County, Mississippi.[1]

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company C, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division

Place and date: Near Kujangdong, Korea, November 26, 1950

Entered service at: Carrollton, Mississippi Born: October 15, 1928, Carrollton, Mississippi

G.O. No.: 39, June 4, 1951

Citation:

Sgt. Pittman, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. He volunteered to lead his squad in a counterattack to regain commanding terrain lost in an earlier engagement. Moving aggressively forward in the face of intense artillery, mortar, and small-arms fire he was wounded by mortar fragments. Disregarding his wounds he continued to lead and direct his men in a bold advance against the hostile standpoint. During this daring action, an enemy grenade was thrown in the midst of his squad endangering the lives of his comrades. Without hesitation, Sgt. Pittman threw himself on the grenade and absorbed its burst with his body. When a medical aid man reached him, his first request was to be informed as to how many of his men were hurt. This intrepid and selfless act saved several of his men from death or serious injury and was an inspiration to the entire command. Sgt. Pittman's extraordinary heroism reflects the highest credit upon himself and is in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the military service.[2]

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See also

References
  1. Willbanks, James H. (2011-03-11). America's Heroes: Medal of Honor Recipients from the Civil War to Afghanistan: Medal of Honor Recipients from the Civil War to Afghanistan. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9781598843941.
  2. ""JOHN A. PITTMAN" entry". Medal of Honor recipients: Korean War. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on February 3, 2019. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.


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